What happened: Ranchi Deputy Commissioner’s guidelines for protests and rallies

Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri issued detailed guidelines for conducting protests and rallies in Jharkhand. The guidelines require organisers to obtain prior permission from the competent authority before holding such public events.

Manjunath Bhajantri stated that sit-ins, protests, processions, rallies, and public meetings are being organised without adequate prior information for the administration. He linked the lack of prior information to risks for law and order, public safety, and traffic arrangements, including commuting difficulties.

Manjunath Bhajantri asked organisers to share timely event information, including the route, date, start time, end time, expected number of participants, and—where necessary—key individuals participating.

Manjunath Bhajantri clarified that prior notice and permission are intended to help the administration make arrangements for safety, law and order, traffic management, and public convenience, and are not meant to stop peaceful democratic programmes. Manjunath Bhajantri urged political parties, social and voluntary organisations, and citizens to follow applicable law.

Ranchi Police appealed to citizens not to trust unverified social media information about public events.

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