Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan on Thursday, October 15, said that seeking a change in government is a democratic right and should not be treated as an offence. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, he made the remarks amid protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“There will definitely be a regime change. We all want a regime change. Is there anything wrong with that?” Bhushan said.
He rejected allegations that the protests were part of a conspiracy to remove the government, arguing that citizens had the right to demand political change through democratic means.
“Regime change is a democratic right of every citizen, and creating disaffection against the government is not an offence,” he said.
Bhushan also accused the government of undermining electoral democracy and citizens’ fundamental rights. He said a government that continued to restrict democratic freedoms should not remain in power.
Bhushan Questions Criticism of Regime Change Calls
Bhushan pointed out that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had also organised protests demanding a change in government in the past.
“BJP protested multiple times for regime change and then they say they are teaching conspiracy for regime change,” he said.
He argued that criticism of the government should not, by itself, be treated as a criminal offence when it does not involve incitement to violence or public disorder.
The BJP, however, criticised Bhushan’s remarks. Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused the protesters of attempting to spread anarchy and incite violence. He alleged that calls for members of the Army and police to join protests were contrary to the Constitution and the law.
CJP Raises Concerns Over Police Action During Protests
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke also questioned the security arrangements in Delhi during the ongoing demonstrations.
Dipke alleged that restrictions had affected students, protesters and Opposition leaders, claiming that some demonstrators had been forcibly removed by authorities.
He also questioned the security provided to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the level of protection raised concerns about the Election Commission’s role in the electoral process. These allegations have not been independently established.
CJP and other organisations have called on people to wave the national flag at Central Park in Connaught Place on Saturday. The Aam Aadmi Party has also backed the call, according to ANI.
All India Students Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, who joined the press conference, criticised the alleged treatment of journalists covering the protests. She claimed that some journalists had faced restrictions while reporting and raised concerns over police handling of complaints.
Supreme Court Hears Petitions Linked to Protests
The remarks came as the Supreme Court heard several petitions related to the protests, including challenges concerning alleged electoral roll irregularities, police conduct, restrictions on protest venues and the treatment of journalists and lawyers.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought responses from the Election Commission and other authorities on matters before it. The court also directed law enforcement agencies to preserve CCTV footage and other digital material connected to the protests.
