The case relatesto the last year's communal violence in north-east Delhi during protestsagainst the CAA. The Delhi High Court had granted bail to the three studentactivists saying in an anxiety to suppress dissent the State has blurred theline between right to protest and terrorist activity and if such a mindsetgains traction, it would be a "sad day for democracy". If thechargesheet against these students ran into 17,000 pages, the HC must becongratulated for being brief and limiting its judgement on bail to merely a100 pages. The Delhi police was criticised for ‘casually’ invoking thestringent provisions of the anti-terror law. Yet, the police did not feelchastened. Instead, it decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court againstthe bail orders. Nobody becomes anti-national by doing dharnas and protesting.Anti-nationals are those who are planning to abolish the right of each andevery individual citizen, and pushing "majority rules" agenda. Indiais a democracy, and each and everyone has the right to do "peaceful"protest against the government institutions, if they are at a loss because ofany specific regulations.
Nothing iseternal. Instead of terming dissenters as terrorists, government needs to heartheir genuine and sincere grievances.
