Newdelhi,Oct 9, 2026 17:56 ISTCongress leader Shashi Tharoor welcomed the Supreme Court's intervention regarding restrictions on Delhi Metro and train services ahead of the October 10 protest, asserting that the directive serves as a reminder that regulation should not amount to prohibition. He emphasized that a democratic framework must balance public safety with the protection of citizens' fundamental rights.
The response follows a directive from the top court instructing the Centre and relevant authorities to prevent any total shutdown of Metro and train operations heading into the national capital for the Citizens for Justice and Peace protest on October 10. The bench stressed that operations should not be entirely paralyzed and that services ought to run under regulated conditions to minimize public disruption.
Writing on social media, Tharoor described the court's intervention as an important message to the government regarding state authority and citizen rights, quoting the Chief Justice's observation on law and order responsibilities. He reiterated the Congress party stance that peaceful protest forms an essential part of public expression rather than a security threat, arguing that a strong administration should accommodate dissent instead of inconveniencing millions.
The Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, instructed the Centre to permit railway and Metro operations in a managed fashion to prevent commuter harassment. Highlighting the distinction between complete prohibition and regulated functioning, the judges acknowledged the submission made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who undertook to request that authorities reconsider the blanket ban in favor of proportional regulation.
Consequently, the bench mandated that no total prohibition be imposed on Metro transit while requiring officials to widely publicize decisions concerning train and traffic movements. The court additionally recommended reviewing road barricades and properly advertising alternative routes, ensuring that security measures maintain order without imposing excessive hardship on the general public.