← Concept Library · Polity & Governance
Polity & Governance GS 2 In the news 5 times

Article 19(1)(b)

Freedom of Assembly and Its Restrictions

The right to assemble peaceably and without arms is guaranteed under Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution. However, this right is not absolute — Article 19(3) permits the State to impose reasonable restrictions in the interests of sovereignty and integrity of India, or public order.

Key details
  • Article 19(1)(b): Freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms — available only to citizens.
  • Article 19(3): Restrictions must be reasonable and imposed by law; grounds: sovereignty and integrity of India, public order.
  • "Public order" is narrower than "law and order" — public order disturbances affect a wider section of the community; mere law-and-order breaches do not justify Article 19(3) restrictions (Ram Manohar Lohia v. State of UP, 1960).
  • The Supreme Court in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020) held that restrictions on fundamental rights in J&K must be reviewed periodically and cannot be indefinite.
In the news

Tracked since March 13, 2026 · last seen August 13, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

Related concepts
See it in today’s brief. Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief