Prior permission mandatory for protests and rallies, says Ranchi Deputy Commissioner

Following student protests regarding the ongoing Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) issues, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri on Sunday (August 23, 2026) issued detailed guidelines for protests and rallies, making it mandatory to obtain prior permission from the competent authority.Posting on the social media platform X, Mr. Bhajantri said, “It is often observed that various sit-ins, protests, encirclements, processions, rallies, and public meetings are being organised at different locations, where sometimes the administration is not provided with prior necessary information. Due to such events, not only law and order and public safety but also traffic arrangements can be affected, causing difficulties in commuting for ordinary citizens”.He further wrote, “The Supreme Court has clarified in various judgments that peaceful sit-ins and protest demonstrations are part of the constitutional rights of citizens. However, the exercise of this right must be subject to applicable laws and valid directives issued by competent authorities, keeping in mind public order, public safety, traffic, and the rights of other citizens. Regarding sit-ins, protests, processions, rallies, and public meetings organised at public places, it is necessary to follow the procedure prescribed by the competent authority, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Ranchi Sadar/Bundu”.The Deputy Commissioner added that for such events, it will be mandatory for the organisers to obtain permission in advance under the prescribed procedure.“The organisers are appealed to provide the necessary information regarding the proposed programme to the administration in a timely manner. It will be necessary to provide information related to the proposed route, the date of the event, the start and end time, and the expected number of participants. Information about key individuals participating in the programme,” the Ranchi DC wrote.Mr. Bhajantri asserted that no such activity should be carried out on public roads or places that unauthorisedly obstruct movement, affect public safety, or unreasonably interfere with the rights of other citizens.He clarified that the purpose of the arrangement for prior notice and permission is not to stop any peaceful and democratic programme, but to ensure necessary administrative arrangements for the safety of participants, law and order, traffic management, and the convenience of ordinary citizens.Public appealThe Deputy Commissioner appealed to all political parties, social and voluntary organisations, and ordinary citizens to follow the applicable law.The Ranchi Police also urged citizens to not believe any news, video, or message being circulated on social media without verification. Police claimed that some anti-social elements are deliberately spreading false information to incite people.Posting a message on X, the Ranchi Police said, “They aim to create an atmosphere of unrest, enmity, tension, and anarchy in society to fulfil their personal interests. Falling for the inducements of such elements and taking any step can lead to legal trouble for you and harm the peace and harmony of society. Do not take the law into your own hands under anyone’s instigation”.The Ranchi Police further appealed that if citizens come across suspicious or inflammatory content, they should inform the relevant police or administration instead of making it viral.X details soughtThe Ranchi cyber police issued a notice to X Corporation seeking details of the person managing the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch’s social media account while probing the clash between students and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) workers on Friday (August 21, 2026), which involved the burning of effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi..The notice has been issued under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.“This letter is issued in connection with a criminal investigation into the dissemination of false and misleading information. It has come to the notice that the X account (@JPSCreformanch (JPSC JSSC REFORM MANCH) is being used to continuously post videos and photographs that contain false and fabricated news regarding the actions of the Government of Jharkhand,” stated the notice issued to X on Saturday (August 22).The notice further stated, “In the interest of the ongoing investigation and to ascertain the identity of the individuals behind this handle, you are hereby directed in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 94 of the BNSS, 2023, read with Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (which empowers the Government to direct intermediaries to intercept, monitor, or decrypt information for investigation and public order), to provide the following information about the X account @JPSCreformanch”.Three separate FIRs have been registered against the protesting students of JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch in connection with the clash in Ranchi on Friday (August 21).