CJI Surya Kant answers students on right to peaceful protest in Patna

The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, addressed a gathering of school and college students at Lok Bhavan in Patna, responding to a series of queries about the legal safeguards surrounding peaceful demonstrations. He reiterated that the Constitution guarantees the right to assemble and protest without violence, provided the protest remains non‑disruptive and respects public order. The Justice also clarified that any attempt to curtail this right must meet strict judicial scrutiny.

Students raised concerns about recent incidents of protest suppression in other states, and the CJI emphasized that any restriction must be backed by a clear, lawful basis and proportionate to the intended objective. He urged young citizens to exercise their democratic rights responsibly, citing past movements that shaped India's democratic fabric.

In the same session, the Chief Justice expressed alarm over reports of rising drug addiction among minors, calling for coordinated action by schools, families, and law‑enforcement agencies. He appealed to the audience to stay vigilant and support preventive measures, noting that substance abuse undermines both individual futures and societal well‑being.