Over 500 NLSIU alumni have issued a statement condemning the "arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional" police action taken against peaceful protestors across the country on October 10, during the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar including the detention and manhandling of alumni and senior advocate Shadan Farasat.

They have said that the right to protest and to associate with others in protest are both rights guaranteed under Article 19(1) of the Constitution subject to “reasonable restrictions” in public interest and the State cannot arbitrarily detain – even during an Emergency – those who are exercising these rights in the manner seen today when over 10,000 people have reportedly been detained across the country.

It states that the right to legal aid and access to justice is also a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution and it is the obligation of lawyers to assist those facing detention.

With respect to detention of senior advocate Shadan Farast the statement states:

"We are deeply disturbed by the use of force against lawyers peacefully protesting near the Supreme Court area and instances of lawyers being prevented from accessing detention centres. We are particularly perturbed by the detention and physical manhandling of Mr Shadan Farasat, Senior Advocate and an alumnus of NLSIU (Batch of 2006). What is particularly distressing about his detention is that he was detained while rushing to prevent the illegal detention of a peaceful protestor.

We emphasize that the legal framework of this country will break down if lawyers are prevented from aiding citizens in the exercise of their Fundamental Rights. At the same time, we are concerned that if a Senior Advocate can be subject to arbitrary police action, what hope from the law can an ordinary citizen have? We urge that an impartial inquiry be held to investigate instances of excessive use of force against civilians and lawyers, denial of access to justice, and the general lack of proportionality in official and police action in handling the protests"

The statements urges for holding of an impartial inquiry to investigate instances of excessive use of force against civilians and lawyers, denial of access to justice, and the general lack of proportionality in official and police action in handling the protests.