‘Can’t have everyone on road’: SC pulls up Shaheen Bagh protesters, calls for dialogue

New Delhi, Feb 17: The Supreme Court on Monday appointed an interlocutor to convince the Shaheen Bagh protesters to lift the road blockade and move it elsewhere.

"We are not saying that people don't have the right to raise their concerns. The question is where to protest? Because if this continues on the roads today for this legislation, tomorrow it could be done for another legislation," a two-judge bench comprising justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph observed.

"Democracy works on expression of views. But there are lines and boundaries. They can protest and need not wait for the Supreme Court judgment (on the Citizenship Amendment Act). But the issue is, is a road the place to hold protests," said Justice Kaul.

The top court also wondered if anyone could be appointed to hold talks with the protesters. "Reason must prevail on this (protesters) side also," the court observed.