Civil rights group, the Campaign for Justice and Peace (CJP), through its representative Saurav Das, is urging authorities to pursue defamation cases rather than criminal charges against protestors. This advice comes in response to a First Information Report (FIR) filed against an unnamed protester. Das argues that criminalizing dissent stifles freedom of expression and unduly punishes individuals exercising their right to protest. He contends that if a protest contains false or damaging statements, the appropriate legal route is a defamation suit, allowing for a fairer and less punitive resolution. This approach, he believes, would strike a better balance between protecting reputations and upholding democratic principles. Utilizing criminal charges, Das asserts, sets a dangerous precedent with potentially chilling effects on future protests and civic engagement. The CJP advocates for a shift in legal strategy emphasizing restorative justice over punitive measures in cases involving protests.