India, July 28 -- The protests carried out by CJP students raised an important constitutional issue - what happens next after the protests are over? Even though peaceful protests are an important element of democracy, students often worry about the possible legal repercussions of their participation. The answer depends on whether the demonstration was peaceful or any laws were broken during the process.

Even if the Indian Constitution does not guarantee the right to protest, this right can be found in Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) which provide for freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to assemble peacefully. Such rights provide citizens with a possibility to express their disagreement with the actions of the authorities...