SC WILL HEAR, BUT VIOLENCE MUST CEASE

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hold a hearing on Tuesday on the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia University and Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh Muslim University but with a rider that the violence must stop.

Chief Justice S.A. Bobde said the Supreme Court would not be bullied, and cannot be held to ransom while public properties are destroyed. He said that the court is not saying students are responsible or police are innocent.

The matter came up for hearing against the backdrop of the violent protests in Delhi.

Mentioning the matter before the bench, senior advocate Indira Jaising requested the apex court to take suo motu cognizance of violence.

"Human right violence is taking place all over the country. No one can stop peaceful protests. Hundreds of students were injured, buses were burnt by the police and the blame is being put at the doorstep of the students," she said.

Responding to this submission, the Chief Justice said law and order situation has to be handled by the police. "Just because they happen to be students, it does not mean they can take law and order in their hands. This matter has to be decided when things cool down. This is not the frame of mind in which we can decide anything. We will take cognizance, but let this stop. We will see what we can do. First, we want to assure that there is peace," CJI Bobde said.

He, however, clarified that the court is "not against rights and peaceful demonstration" by the protesters.