AICU Welcomes Justice Bhuyan’s Remarks on Constitutional Liberty and Minority Rights

NEW DELHI, July 30, 2026: The All India Catholic Union has welcomed observations by Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on constitutional liberty, peaceful dissent and minority rights, describing them as a strong reaffirmation of fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

Justice Bhuyan made the remarks while delivering the Justice G.P. Singh Memorial Lecture at the National Law Institute University in Bhopal. The All India Catholic Union said his observations underline the judiciary’s responsibility to safeguard citizens against the misuse of criminal law and restrictions on legitimate expression.

The Union particularly welcomed Justice Bhuyan’s reference to the arrest and prolonged detention of young men who had shared a meal of chicken biryani while breaking their Ramadan fast. Justice Bhuyan observed that there is no law prohibiting the consumption of chicken on the banks of the Ganga and that the detention of the young men could not be legally sustained, according to the AICU statement.

The Catholic organisation said the episode raised concerns about the criminalisation of ordinary activities and the use of law against citizens for conduct that does not constitute an offence.

AICU said such developments have a disproportionate impact on religious minorities. It alleged that Muslims and Christians have faced what it described as frivolous criminal cases in several states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, including Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The Union also welcomed Justice Bhuyan’s observations on peaceful protest and dissent. According to AICU, the judge warned that the space for dissent was shrinking and drew attention to the treatment of students and environmental activists as criminals.

The organisation said prolonged proceedings, delayed bail and restrictive bail conditions could have a “chilling effect” on citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional freedoms.

AICU, which describes itself as having a 107-year history of advocacy on issues concerning India’s Catholic community, said it has repeatedly expressed concern over what it termed an atmosphere of “minority-phobia and majoritarian pressure” in parts of the country.

The organisation alleged that selective enforcement of laws, intimidation by vigilante groups and the misuse of criminal law have affected religious minorities as well as students, workers and activists raising concerns over education, employment, environmental protection and social justice.

It also cited instances of arrests and disciplinary action against students involved in campus protests and alleged that workers seeking better wages and minority citizens exercising cultural and religious practices have faced criminal proceedings.

The AICU statement further referred to recent protests and alleged excessive use of force against demonstrators, including the use of pellet guns during a student and youth protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. It also referred to the handling of protests in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar.

“A constitutional democracy cannot survive if the State treats disagreement as disloyalty and ordinary acts of citizenship as threats to public order,” the Union said.

It stressed that freedom of thought, expression and peaceful assembly are constitutional guarantees rather than privileges that can be withdrawn when they become politically inconvenient.

The AICU said the judiciary has a critical responsibility in protecting fundamental rights and described Justice Bhuyan’s remarks as an important exercise of that responsibility.

While welcoming his observations, the Union also expressed concern over what it described as some recent statements by the Chief Justice, calling them “deeply disconcerting.” It expressed hope that the higher judiciary would continue to articulate constitutional protections as clearly as Justice Bhuyan had done.

The statement comes amid continuing public debate over the balance between public order, individual liberty, freedom of expression and the protection of minority rights in India.

By Catholic Connect Reporter