India's Supreme Court has said police must not use excessive force simply because a protest is taking place, stressing that peaceful demonstrations are protected under the constitution.
The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant heard several petitions alleging police excesses against so-called NEET protesters in Delhi and other parts of the country.
The protesters are mainly students and medical-school applicants demonstrating over alleged irregularities in India's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET. They have also dubbed themselves "cockroaches" after comments made by India's former education minister.
"The right to protest, peaceful protest, lawful protest, is absolutely guaranteed under the constitutional scheme," Kant said. : "Couldn't Protect You From Inhumane Actions of Delhi Police" Abhijeet Dipke Apologises to CJP Supporters After Police Crackdown
"So long as there is a peaceful agitation, merely because there is an agitation, there can't be excesses."
The court called for a clear protocol to balance the right to protest with public order.
"If they want to agitate on an issue, they should be provided with proper space," Kant said. "There should be no restriction or impediment in that."
He added that police could take action against "anti-social elements" or anyone who had broken the law.
The petitions included one filed by Rajya Sabha lawmaker Manoj Jha.