Assertion (A): The preventive barricading of the Khanauri-Data Singh Wala border ahead of the farmers' foot march has been questioned as inconsistent with the constitutional position on the right to assembly. Reason (R): Article 19(1)(b) guarantees the right to assemble peaceably and without arms as a default freedom and Article 19(3) permits the state to restrict it only in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order, not merely in anticipation of possible disruption. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Polity · 18 Aug 2026

Article 19(1)(b) right to assemble

Assertion (A): The preventive barricading of the Khanauri-Data Singh Wala border ahead of the farmers' foot march has been questioned as inconsistent with the constitutional position on the right to assembly.
Reason (R): Article 19

(b) guarantees the right to assemble peaceably and without arms as a default freedom and Article 19
permits the state to restrict it only in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order, not merely in anticipation of possible disruption.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

BBoth A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

CA is true but R is false

DA is false but R is true

This question is based on: Farmers Don't Need Permission to Assemble. Haryana Police Just Said They Do.

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About this question

Why in news

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) farmers gathered at the Khanauri-Data Singh Wala border on August 16 to begin a 228-km foot march to Delhi, but Haryana Police sealed the point with multi-layer barricading, citing lack of permission; the march is scheduled to culminate in a farmers' panchayat at Jantar Mantar on August 29.

Why for UPSC

Assembly-rights questions in UPSC typically probe the gap between the constitutional default (no permission required) and administrative practice (treated as requiring permission) - this A-R pair tests whether the candidate understands that restriction must be justified after the fact of a threat, not assumed in advance of one.

Prelims summary

Article 19(1)(b) makes peaceful, unarmed assembly a default right, restrictable under Article 19(3) only on grounds of sovereignty, integrity or public order - preventive, permission-based barricading before any disorder, as seen at Khanauri, sits in tension with this constitutional design.

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