The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu Police to deny permission for protests against judges and to immediately disperse any gatherings where personal attacks are made on a judge.
The court was ruling in a public interest litigation filed after protests against a June 25 verdict, which said that a person from the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities and Scheduled Castes who converts to Islam cannot claim reservations under the Backward Class (Muslim) category.
The judgement was upheld by the Supreme Court on October 15.
The petitioner alleged that groups including the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath and Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam had organised protests across the state, adding that the demonstrations allegedly turned hostile and the protesters began to personally target a judge who was part of the High Court bench that delivered the verdict.
It was also alleged that posters, rallies and social media videos contained abusive language and caste-based comments intended to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
The High Court ruled that a “blanket order” banning all public discussions or peaceful gatherings concerning court rulings “would go too far”.
The bench directed state police and district administrations to consider applications for protests pertaining to judicial decisions on a case-by-case basis.
“No permission shall be granted for any public gathering or…
Source: Scroll.in
