New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Tamil Nadu chief secretary to file a detailed affidavit on the steps taken to implement the directions with regard to anti-Neet protests, demonstrations in the state.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud recorded the submissions of Tamil Nadu advocate general Vijaynarayanan that a meeting was held by the chief secretary subsequent to the September 8 interim order. He said instructions were issued to all the districts to strictly implement the directions. Even in respect of permission for meetings, permission was granted in places where there was no impact on law and order.
On September 8 acting on a PIL filed by advocate G.S. Mani that the state was encouraging anti-Neet protests in violation of the apex court rulings, the bench banned violent anti-Neet protests and demonstrations, but said peaceful protests without violating law and order could be permitted.
It had said that a peaceful protest or criticism or dissent is different than creation of a law and order situation. Every citizen of this country has a fundamental right to peacefully protest and demonstrate, but not to cause a situation that results in violence and paralyses the law and order situation.
The Bench had said “it shall be the obligation of the chief secretary, government of Tamil Nadu, and the principal secretary, ministry of home, government of Tamil Nadu, to ensure that law and order is maintained throughout the state in the wake of the present situation in respect of Neet.
The chief secretary shall see to it that anyone involved in any kind of ‘bandh’ or activity that disrupts the normal life and detrimentally affects law and order in the state of Tamil Nadu, shall be booked under appropriate law.”
