CJI SURYA KANT REAFFIRMS STUDENTS’ RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST

September 26, 2026

PATNA: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has reaffirmed that students have a fundamental right to hold peaceful protests and said courts would not overlook alleged violations of that right. He made the remarks during an open interaction with students at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in Patna on Saturday.

Responding to a question about police action against student demonstrators, the CJI said the judiciary was committed to protecting peaceful protest and would examine cases involving alleged excessive police action. His remarks came in the context of recent student demonstrations in Delhi concerning alleged NEET examination paper leaks.

The interaction also covered transparency within the Supreme Court Collegium. Responding to a question about why dissenting observations in collegium deliberations are not publicly disclosed, Surya Kant said disclosure could adversely affect the dignity and position of judges being considered. He said transparency had limits when personal dignity was involved.

The CJI also welcomed a proposal by CNLU vice-chancellor Faizan Mustafa to restructure the five-year law course into four years of academic study followed by a mandatory final-year court apprenticeship. The proposal is intended to remove the separate one-year practice requirement for candidates appearing for judicial service examinations