Constitutional right or political convenience? When neutrality depends on who is protesting

STATE vs STREET: THE POLITICS OF DISSENT

The right to protest is a cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to question those in power and demand accountability. But recent events at Panaji’s Azad Maidan have renewed debate over the balance between constitutional freedoms and the State’s authority to regulate public demonstrations. The detention of protesters, followed by a court order for their release, has brought questions of permission, police discretion and access to public spaces into focus. The Goan examines the issues at stake