Now Reading: Protests can be a form of dialogue, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
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Protests can be a form of dialogue, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said protests can be a form of dialogue, speaking at an event organised by the Indian International Movement to United Nations. He claimed Indian tradition fostered a culture…
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said protests can be a form of dialogue, speaking at an event organised by the Indian International Movement to United Nations. He claimed Indian tradition fostered a culture of debate allowing multiple views to interact to arrive at the truth. The remark comes amid a hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The question of protests in a democracy has long been debated. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in his 'Grammar of Anarchy' speech argued that with constitutional methods available, civil disobedience and satyagraha should be abandoned. Scholar Dharampal, however, cited examples of non-cooperation protests in North Indian towns between 1810 and 1812 against British taxes, describing them as a traditional 'dialogue' between ruler and ruled.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The RSS chief's framing attempts to reconcile Gandhian protest methods with constitutional democracy, a tension unresolved since Independence. The judiciary has recognised the right to protest as a fundamental right, but with reasonable restrictions enforced by the executive. The practical test will come if permission for protests like Wangchuk's is denied, forcing a court to balance Article 19 rights against public order. Watch for any police action or court order on the Jantar Mantar protest.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
