CJP calls off September 5 Delhi protest march after ‘assurances’ from Centre over FIR withdrawal - The Hindu

**Delhi, September 5 2024 –** The Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, announced the cancellation of the planned protest march in Delhi slated for today after receiving “assurances” from the Union government regarding the withdrawal of First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against student demonstrators. The decision was conveyed in a brief statement to the media, noting that the assurances would enable the judiciary to focus on the broader legal issues raised by the protests rather than on administrative logistics. The march, which had been organized by a coalition of student bodies and civil‑society groups to demand the repeal of FIRs filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code for participation in anti‑NEET and other campus protests, will now be called off.

The move follows a series of landmark judgments by the Supreme Court in recent weeks. In a sweeping order reported by *Live Law* and *The Hindu*, the apex court quashed FIRs filed across the country against students who had taken part in anti‑NEET and related demonstrations, declaring them “unjustified” and directing that no fresh FIRs be lodged on similar grounds. While the court emphasized that “hardened criminals” involved in violent incidents would continue to face prosecution, it drew a clear distinction between peaceful student activism and unlawful conduct. The ruling has been hailed by legal commentators as a reinforcement of constitutional freedoms of expression and assembly, especially in the context of higher‑education institutions.

Reactions from the legal fraternity and political observers have been largely supportive of the CJI’s decision to call off the march. *The Times of India* highlighted that the Supreme Court’s intervention was described by the CJI as a “historic” step, and the Chief Justice’s “gesture” was interpreted as an affirmation of the judiciary’s willingness to engage constructively with the executive. Student leaders, while appreciative of the withdrawal of FIRs, warned that the underlying issues—such as the perceived politicisation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and broader concerns over academic autonomy—remain unresolved. The episode underscores an evolving dialogue between India’s highest court and the Centre on safeguarding democratic rights while maintaining public order.