It also must be pointed out that the protesters didn’t have prior permission to conduct their protest outside the Supreme Court. However, does that warrant the use of brute force, intimidation and manhandling? Does it warrant detaining journalists who are simply there doing their job? According to Vani Subramaniam of Saheli, she—along with the other protesters—were allowed to leave Mandir Marg Police Station a little after 3.30 pm. “They asked us to give them in writing that we would go straight home,” she said, adding that they didn’t oblige. “We didn’t tell them, or give them any assurances. They didn’t give us any reasons as to why we were being detained, beyond saying that Section 144 had been imposed. Clearly, the message was to keep us out of the way till the court rose for the day. Dissent seems to be what they want to contain and control these days.”