On January 30, 2024, members of the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organizations and Government Employees Organizations (JACTO-GEO) staged protests across Tamil Nadu, demanding the fulfilment of various grievances, including the filling of vacancies in government departments, provision of periodical leaves, and the withdrawal of the new pension scheme implemented for employees joining after April 1, 2023. Protestors, including teachers, gathered in several cities such as Palayamkottai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Erode, Vellore, and Chennai. However, the demonstrations were met with police intervention, resulting in the detention of hundreds of protestors, including women, in various locations. The incident, extensively covered by the media, highlights the complex interplay between the right to peaceful protest and the state's response, raising concerns regarding potential reprisals against activism.

The right to peaceful assembly and protest is fundamental in any democratic society, as enshrined in both international instruments and Indian legal precedents. While citizens have the right to express dissent and grievances peacefully, state intervention should be guided by necessity and reasonableness, ensuring the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The reported detention of protestors by the police, perceived as retaliatory action against their activism, underscores the importance of independent inquiry and accountability mechanisms. HRDA urges to take suo moto cognizance of this incident and invocation of Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019, to initiate a thorough investigation by the National Human Rights Commission's investigation wing into the incident, ensuring adherence to legal standards and safeguarding the principles of democracy and human rights.