India, July 24 -- Condemning the police crackdown on protesters, including minors, at Shivaji Park, a group of 141 advocates practising at the Bombay High Court has urged the Mumbai police commissioner to withdraw prohibitory orders restricting public assemblies, saying they violate citizens' constitutional right to peaceful protest.

The protesters had gathered in and around Shivaji Park in Dadar in support of the student-led agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding government accountability and education reforms following repeated competitive exam paper leaks.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the advocates said the apparent basis for the police action was the lack of permission to protest at Chaityabhoomi. "The ostens...