The Bombay High Court has made a strong statement on the right to protest, ruling that raising slogans like ‘BJP Murdabad’ and ‘Amit Shah Murdabad’ cannot be used to force a citizen out of their home city. Justice Madhav Jamdar dismissed a police externment order against Saeed Ahmad Abdul Wahid Chaudhary, the general secretary of the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI).
Chaudhary, 49, had been issued an externment order in December 2025, banning him from Mumbai for one year. The order came after five First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against him at different police stations. The FIRs accused him of raising and leading slogans such as ‘BJP Government Muradabad’ and ‘Amit Shah Muradabad’ during protests.
Judge Questions Police Action on Political Slogans
During the hearing, Justice Jamdar sharply questioned the police’s reasoning. According to Bar & Bench, the judge orally observed that citizens have the right to protest and that such slogans cannot be grounds for externment. He asked why citizens cannot raise such slogans, emphasizing that it is their fundamental right.
The judge also made a pointed remark about the role of the police. "Police isn't the servant of the chief minister or the prime minister they are public servants," Justice Jamdar said, as reported by Live Law via Instagram. This statement highlighted the court’s view that law enforcement must act independently and not as a tool of the ruling party.
Background of the Externment Order
Chaudhary had been organizing protests against the Union government since 2019. His activism included demonstrations against amendments to the Citizenship Act and the Gyanvapi Masjid controversy. The five FIRs against him were mysteriously lodged at different police stations, leading to the externment order. The court’s decision effectively nullifies that order, allowing Chaudhary to remain in Mumbai.
"Citizens entitled to protest; slogans like BJP 'murdabad' and 'Amit Shah murdabad' not ground for externment: Bombay HC" — Bar & Bench
Our Take: A Clear Defense of Democratic Rights
This ruling is a straightforward and important defense of democratic freedoms. In our view, the Bombay High Court has sent a clear message: the police cannot be used to silence political dissent. The judge’s observation that police are public servants, not servants of the government, is a crucial reminder of the constitutional role of law enforcement.
Using externment orders to punish someone for raising slogans — even if those slogans are critical of the ruling party — sets a dangerous precedent. The court has rightly stepped in to protect the right to protest, which is the bedrock of any democracy. This decision should serve as a warning to authorities who might try to misuse their power to suppress legitimate political expression.
