The Madras High Court has ordered Tamil Nadu Police to deny permission for protests against judges and disperse any ongoing gatherings where personal attacks are made on a judge.
On Friday, the Madras High Court issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu Police, instructing them to refuse permission for protests aimed at judges and immediately disband any assemblies where personal attacks are launched against judicial officials. The court's decision comes following a public interest litigation filed after demonstrations against a June 25 ruling that denied reservations under the Backward Class (Muslim) category for individuals converting from Scheduled Castes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities and Backward Classes who convert to Islam.
The Supreme Court upheld this judgement on October 15. The petitioner alleged that groups such as the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath and Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam had organised protests across the state, with some turning hostile and targeting a judge involved in the original High Court bench decision. Reports suggest that posters, rallies, and social media videos contained abusive language and caste-based comments intended to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
The court stated that a 'blanket order' prohibiting all public discussions or peaceful gatherings regarding court rulings would be excessive. State police and district administrations have been instructed to evaluate applications for protests concerning judicial decisions on a case-by-case basis. No permission will be granted for any public gathering or march seeking to personally target, defame, or intimidate a sitting judge. If a permitted assembly turns into a personal attack, the concerned officers are required to end the event immediately and take appropriate legal action.
Source:
Scroll.in
