Name of the Case: Communist Party of India (Marxist) through Shailendra Kamble vs State of Maharashtra
Citation: WP(Crl) 3798/2025
Hon’ble Bombay High Court’s Bench: Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad
Date: 25.07.2025
In a recent judgment, the Hon’ble Bombay High Court dismissed a petition filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) seeking permission to protest in support of Gaza during its ongoing ‘genocide’. The Hon’ble Bench observed that protesting on international matters like the Gaza conflict, which lies thousands of miles away and does not directly impact Indian citizens, does not amount to patriotism and should not take precedence over local concerns. The Hon’ble Bench emphasized that such issues are best addressed by the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs, warning that taking independent stances on sensitive foreign matters could have repercussions for the country’s diplomatic relations.
The judges further remarked on Hon’ble Supreme Court’s recent observation about the misuse of free speech and underscored the need for citizens and organizations to prioritize and address pressing domestic problems, sending a strong message regarding the proper use of the right to protest and the importance of focusing collective efforts on issues faced by the people of India.
