The right to assemble peacefully is a fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution of India. But more often that not, this right has diminished into something that can only be exercised with permission from the police or the government

The state can, and does, deny permission arbitrarily, and if the citizens go ahead anyway, it ends up giving a legal justification for repressive measures by the state.

How did a fundamental right become conditional on permission from the state? What is the true legal and moral status of the right to peaceful dissent, and does it find reflection in the experience of Indians who wish to express their dissent?

Guest: Pratik Patnaik, Delhi-based lawyer and policy commentator

Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu

Producer and editor: Jude Weston

Camera: Shiksha Jural and Saif Ali Ekram

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Published - July 28, 2026 06:51 pm IST