SILENCING DEMOCRACY | Curbs on the ‘Right to Protest’ in The National Capital

May 05, 2023
By Jyoti Jangra

Gulfisha Fatima, a former student turned activist from Seelampur in Delhi, was arrested by the Delhi Police in April 2020. Alongside numerous other activists who participated in the anti-CAA movement, she faced charges under anti-terror laws and was booked under the stringent UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act). Presently, she has been incarcerated for three years as her case remains pending in the Delhi High Court. Critics argue that the UAPA, frequently employed to suppress dissent and predominantly targeting activists and journalists, has resulted in convictions for less than 3% of the arrests made between 2015 and 2020. The national capital consistently bears witness to protests, with a history marked by significant demonstrations. Over the years, the right to protest has progressively been curtailed, leading to a shrinking space for public demonstrations.