The recent deployment of tear gas and smoke gas shells via drones against peacefully protesting farmers at the Shambhu border constitutes a troubling violation of their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Media reports confirm that these measures were taken without provocation from the farmers, who were marching towards the national capital to advocate for assured prices for their crops. Moreover, the imposition of restrictions on large gatherings in Delhi, the blockade of state borders, suspension of internet services, and the conversion of stadiums into temporary detention facilities by state governments further compound the infringement on the farmers' rights to protest.

The actions taken by authorities appear to contradict the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights, which uphold the right to peaceful protest as essential for citizen participation in governance. International and domestic legal frameworks recognize this right, emphasizing its role in democratic societies. Given the gravity of the situation and the potential for further violations, HRDA urges the NHRC to take suo moto cognizance of this incident   invoke Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019. It is imperative that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) initiates an independent inquiry to investigate these incidents thoroughly and ensure accountability for any breaches of constitutional rights.