THE HINDU DATED 2nd SEP 2026

Summary of Important News Items and Editorials- 303

THE HINDU DATED 2nd SEP 2026

(for reading HINDU News items from 1 to 302 please visit –

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1. Supreme Court quashes cases against Gen Z protesters

The Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary power under Article 142 to quash criminal cases against Gen Z protesters booked during demonstrations over the NEET-UG controversy. Delhi Police agreed not to pursue FIRs involving 2,873 protesters, while the Court permitted fresh proceedings against persons against whom specific evidence of criminal conduct exists. The Bench distinguished peaceful democratic protest from violence, holding that students exercising constitutional freedoms should not carry criminal cases merely for participating in demonstrations. At the same time, constitutional protection does not extend to identifiable acts of violence or other offences. The order reflects a balance between freedom of speech and peaceful assembly under Article 19 and the State’s responsibility to maintain public order. Its underlying logic is proportionality: criminal law should not become a deterrent against legitimate dissent. The judgment also demonstrates Article 142’s role in securing “complete justice” where ordinary legal processes could perpetuate unfairness. Democratic governance requires authorities to distinguish protesters from offenders through individualised evidence.

2. SCO and the need to dismantle the ecosystem of terrorism