The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to expeditiously consider a fresh application seeking permission for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar on September 20, after the petitioner challenged the earlier refusal to allow a protest.
The plea has been filed by Dr. Raj Shekhawat, President of Kshatriya Karni Sena, challenging the refusal of authorities to permit an earlier demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The plea sought permission to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar to oppose and raise awareness about the recently notified University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, while hearing the plea, noted that the prayers relating to the proposed September 6 demonstration had already become infructuous. The petitioner, however, sought permission to hold the protest on September 20, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The petitioner submitted that the earlier communication refusing permission had referred to the BRICS Summit being held in Delhi as a ground for denying permission for the September 6 demonstration. He therefore sought permission to hold the proposed demonstration on September 20, subject to conditions that may be imposed by the authorities.
The High Court, however, did not itself grant permission for the protest. Instead, it directed the respondents to consider the petitioner’s request in accordance with law and to consider imposing appropriate conditions, if permission is granted.
The Court directed Dr. Shekhawat to submit a fresh application before the appropriate authority seeking permission for the September 20 demonstration. The authority has been directed to decide the application expeditiously, within one week, and communicate the decision to the petitioner.
The petition was accordingly disposed of.
