Guwahati, July 27 -- The Supreme Court on Monday observed that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional guarantee and said police action cannot be justified solely because agitations are taking place.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, agreed to hear the petitions on Tuesday. The court also decided to consider a separate plea filed by families of police personnel who were allegedly injured during the protests along with the students' petitions.

" The right to peaceful protest is absolutely guaranteed. That cannot be denied. Merely because there is agitation cannot justify police excesses," Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked during the hearing.

Responding to con...