New Delhi, July 23: Cutting across party lines, the BJP, AAP and the Congress welcomed today's Supreme Court order lifting the ban on rallies, dharnas or sit-ins at the Jantar Mantar and Boat Club areas here, terming it a victory of democracy.

Welcoming the verdict, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said it asserts the right of the people to protest peacefully against governments and their policies.

"AAP welcomes the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court which has lifted the blanket ban on peaceful protests & demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club. It's again the victory of people's rights, victory of democracy (sic)," he tweeted.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said, "The Supreme Court ruling is a victory for democracy. The ruling makes it clear that we are not living under a Police Raj and the people have every right to protests on pressing issues at Boat Club and Janpath."

Welcoming the apex court order, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said, "In a democracy, people and socio-political organisation have the right to protest near the seat of power and, Jantar Mantar and Boat Club over the period of time got recognition as such protest spots."

Lifting the ban on rallies, dharnas or sit-ins at the Jantar Mantar and Boat Club areas here, the top court asked the Centre to frame guidelines within two months for according sanctions to such events.

A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said, "There is a need to strike a balance between conflicting rights such as the right to protest and the right of citizens to live peacefully." "There cannot be a complete or absolute ban on holding protests at places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club (near India Gate)," the bench said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)