The Madras High Court on 20 March, has embargoed all forms of protests, processions, and demonstrations across the State until the threat of Coronavirus Pandemic abates. It further directed the State government to issue an advisory, asking people to either postpone or reduce the gathering considerably, even in private functions such as marriages.
The bench comprising of Justices MM Sundresh and Krishnan Ramasamy was hearing a batch of writ petitions seeking directions to prevent agitations in various parts of Tamil Nadu, which were alleged without police permission.
The court observed that the government had already issued an advisory, asking people to avoid overcrowding and to hold their protests until the threat of the pandemic subsides.
“Now, we are more concerned with the present scenario wherein a pandemic has set in. Steps have been taken both by the Central and State Governments to control the spread of the Coronavirus. Even this Court, as mentioned in the memorandum of adjournment, has taken certain austerity measures. The issue now is not concerned with the right to protesters alone but the overall interest of the entire citizenry,” stated the bench.
Thus, considering the submissions made by a public prosecutor A Natarajan, the court passed an interim order and has further posted all the hearings related to the Citizenship Amendment Act, for 21 April.
