‘Everyone Has Right To Protest, But Don’t Disrupt Public Life’: CJI Surya Kant
‘Everyone Has Right To Protest, But Don’t Disrupt Public Life’: Surya Kant Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 16:45 IST The organisation had challenged
‘Everyone Has Right To Protest, But Don’t Disrupt Public Life’: Surya Kant Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 16:45 IST The organisation had challenged a Bombay High Court order that dismissed its plea seeking a direction to the Centre regarding the Maharashtra govt’s proposal to rename the airport. The court also remarked that governments may ultimately take a decision through democratic processes. The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a petition seeking direction to the Centre Centre to take a time-bound decision on the Maharashtra government’s proposal regarding the renaming of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, with Chief Justice Surya Kant observing that while citizens have the right to protest peacefully, they cannot create law and order problems. While responding to a claim that criminal cases are being slapped against young individuals protesting with regard to naming of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Kant said that everyone has a right to protest peacefully and lawfully, but they must not create a threat or law and order situation.
“They should not threat and create law and order problem. Everybody has a right to peaceful and lawful protest…as permissible in law can be done. But not come on streets and create problems for the common man…That should not happen", the said as quoted by the LiveLaw. While hearing a petition filed by Prakashjhot Samajik Sanstha, a bench comprising Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, refused to entertain the matter and said that the issue fell under policymaking, hence the top court could not interfere. The organisation had challenged a Bombay High Court order that dismissed its plea seeking a direction to the Centre regarding the Maharashtra government’s proposal to rename the airport. “Is it the function of the court that what should be the name of an airport?" the bench asked.
When the petitioner’s counsel argued that they only wanted a time-bound decision from the Centre, the said the court should not pass orders in policy matters. “This will amount to indulging in policy making," the bench observed. The court also remarked that governments may ultimately take a decision through democratic processes. “In a democratic setup, authorities will ultimately realise that some decision has to be taken," the said. The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Bombay High Court’s November 2025 order and disposed of the petition. However, it granted liberty to the petitioner organisation to pursue the matter before the competent authority. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 19, 2026, 16:45 IST News india ‘Everyone Has Right To Protest, But Don’t Disrupt Public Life’: Surya Kant Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.
Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
The BriefWire