# Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan Expresses Concern Over Harsh Bail Conditions And Arrests For Peaceful Protests > Speaking at a memorial lecture in Bhopal, Supreme Court Senior Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted the erosion of democratic rights, questioning unreasonable bail conditions and the detention of youth for eating biryani on a boat in Varanasi. **Type:** article · **Category:** Madhya Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-07-26 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/madhya-pradesh/justice-ujjal-bhuyan-ne-shantipurna-virodha-aura-jamanata-ki-kathina-sharton-para-jatai-chinta-nyayika-vyavastha-ki-bhumika-ko-kiy-10581 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Supreme Court, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Bail Conditions, Freedom of Speech, Bhopal News, Constitutional Rights Supreme Court Senior Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has expressed deep concern over the suppression of dissenting voices and the shrinking space for democratic rights in the country. Speaking at Bhopal's National Law Institute University during the Justice GP Singh Memorial Lecture, he emphasized that expressing views and staging peaceful protests are fundamental constitutional rights of citizens. Justice Bhuyan asserted that the essence of a vibrant democracy lies in debate and disagreement. He cautioned that if courts begin imposing bail conditions that stifle the voices of the public, the common citizen's trust in the judicial system will be severely compromised. ## Questions Over Varanasi Biryani Incident and Arrest of Students During his address, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted the Varanasi Ganga boat Iftar case, where several young individuals were arrested and incarcerated for three months for eating chicken biryani on a boat. He raised a poignant question, asking whether consuming biryani on the Ganga is defined as an offense under any existing law. In the absence of such legislation, he questioned why these individuals were denied bail for three long months. Furthermore, he noted that those advocating for environmental protection are being treated like hardened criminals. He also criticized the arrest and suspension of university students who participate in peaceful demonstrations to demand their rights, warning that the freedom of peaceful protest is rapidly diminishing across the nation. ## Criticism of Arbitrary Bail Conditions and Restrictions on Expression Justice Bhuyan also raised objections to the unusual bail conditions being imposed by courts in various cases. Pointing to instances related to Facebook posts and the Delhi riots case, he noted that courts are increasingly setting conditions that bear no direct relevance to the charges at hand. He asked whether such judicial conditions send a discouraging message to citizens, effectively warning them to stay away from public life and restrict their freedom of expression. Additionally, he expressed surprise at the denial of permission for protests in Mumbai supporting Gaza and Palestine, as well as the subsequent observations made by the Bombay High Court on the matter. He clarified that demonstrating empathy or protesting peacefully over global issues is an integral part of civic rights. ## The Supremacy of the Constitution and the Role of Universities Interacting with students and attendees, the senior Supreme Court judge remarked that universities are not merely factories designed to hand out degrees. Instead, they are sacred spaces meant to foster independent thinking and the courage to ask questions. Highlighting the distinction between political power and constitutional permanence, he stated that while governments will inevitably change, the Constitution remains permanent. Therefore, the government, the Parliament, and the judiciary are collectively obligated to safeguard the foundational spirit of the Constitution. ## Justice Vishal Dhagat Emphasizes Judicial Duty The event was presided over by Madhya Pradesh High Court Judge Justice Vishal Dhagat. In his address, Justice Dhagat reiterated that the primary responsibility of the judiciary is to protect the Constitution and defend individual liberty. He emphasized that judges must deliver their verdicts impartially, guided solely by the established laws and constitutional principles, rather than being swayed by public sentiment or external pressures. ## What this means for you - **Across India:** The remarks highlight the crucial role of judicial overreach in bail conditions, reaffirming the common citizen's right to peaceful dissent and free speech without fear of arbitrary detention. - **For Students and Activists:** The speech underscores that peaceful protests on campus or regarding global issues are legally protected, advocating for academic spaces to remain hubs of independent thought rather than suppression. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Where did Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan make these remarks? Justice Bhuyan made these remarks during the Justice GP Singh Memorial Lecture at the National Law Institute University in Bhopal on Saturday. ### 2. What did Justice Bhuyan say about the Varanasi Ganga boat Iftar case? He questioned why young people arrested for eating chicken biryani on a boat in Varanasi were kept in jail for three months without bail, arguing there is no law making this a crime. ### 3. How did the judge view the bail conditions imposed by courts? He criticized courts for setting bail conditions unrelated to the actual cases, warning that such actions discourage people from participating in public life and exercising free expression. ### 4. What is the responsibility of the judiciary according to Justice Vishal Dhagat? Justice Vishal Dhagat stated that the judiciary's primary duty is to protect the Constitution and individual liberty, making decisions based on law rather than public sentiment. ### 5. What did Justice Bhuyan say about the role of universities? He stated that universities are places for independent thinking and asking questions, rather than just institutions that distribute degrees. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. 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