Srinagar, Oct. 21 -- Protest is the heartbeat of democracy. It gives voice to the unheard, challenges injustice and compels those in power to answer difficult questions. But when genuine public grievances become instruments of political interests, the purpose of protest is distorted. What should unite people around a common cause can instead deepen divisions, spread mistrust and serve narrow political ambitions. The right to protest is fundamental to a democratic society. Citizens must be free to question government policies, demand accountability and oppose decisions they consider unjust. A democracy without dissent risks becoming an echo chamber of authority. Yet the legitimacy of a protest depends not merely on the cause it invokes but...