Bihar 

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on February 18, 2021, regarding clamping down on the constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest by denying citizen protestors government jobs and government loans if a citizen is named in a charge sheet. 

Several media groups had already warned about the order issued by the Bihar police that the people whose names would appear in a police charge sheet for protests and demonstrations should be ready to face the consequences. The order specified nine specific services where police verification is required and persons involved in protests and demonstrations could find it difficult to get clearance from police.  

The order is in direct contravention of Article 19 (1)(b) of the Constitution of India which guarantees freedom of speech and expression and to assemble peacefully without arms. This includes the right to protest and take out the procession. It is an unconstitutional and illegal directive that undermines the fundamental rights of the citizens.