Yesterday, The Supreme Court rejected a plea seeking an appropriate system for enabling citizens to directly petition Parliament and initiate deliberations on key issues.

“We have to draw a line somewhere. Sorry. Dismissed,” CJI DY Chandrachud said.

The court observed a right to petition the Parliament directly cannot be sought.

“The relief sought in the petition is squarely within a parliamentary domain and such directions cannot be passed under Article 32,” the CJI said.

The present petition sought the creation of reasonable rules and regulations with regard to the same.

According to the plea, it is imperative for the centre to take steps that empower citizens for getting their voices heard by Parliament without any difficulties.

It contended that granting citizens the ability to engage with Parliament and centre at a deeper level would reduce the burden on the Supreme Court and high courts, as there would be an alternative remedy for espousing public interest causes.

According to the petitioner, citizens have a fundamental right to participate in democratic affairs and are constitutionally entitled to present workable and constructive suggestions to Parliament on matters of national importance so that public interest is appropriately safeguarded.