What to Do During a Protest

Before the Protest: Preparation

For Organizers

• Scout the location: Walk the route in advance. Identify choke points, escape routes, nearby hospitals, and police stations.
• Designate roles: Marshals, medical team, legal observers, media liaison, communication lead. Everyone should know their job.
• Legal briefing: Have a lawyer or legal aid group brief marshals on Section 144, arrest procedures, and bail contacts.
• Communication plan: Set up a broadcast channel (WhatsApp/Telegram) for real-time updates. Have a backup if internet is cut.
• Medical kit: Stationed at multiple points, not just one. See First Aid section below.
• Signage: Clear banners, route markers, and meeting points. Confusion causes panic.
• Police liaison: Inform the local police station of the route and timing. This doesn't mean asking permission — it means documenting that you did inform them.
• Contingency plan: What if police block the route? What if someone is injured? What if the crowd panics? Decide in advance.

For Participants

• ID and emergency contact: Carry government ID and write an emergency contact number on your arm in permanent marker. If your phone dies, someone can still reach your family.
• Phone preparation: Full charge, portable power bank. Install offline maps. Back up your phone. Consider a burner phone if you're high-risk.
• Clothing: Comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves and pants protect against tear gas and sun. Avoid contact lenses (tear gas binds to them).
• Water and snacks: Dehydration is a bigger risk than hunger, but both matter. Avoid alcohol — it impairs judgment and increases dehydration.
• Know the plan: Where is the meeting point? What is the route? Where is the end point? What is the signal to disperse?
• Legal aid number: Save it in your phone and write it on your arm. See Legal Remedies section below.

During the Protest: Do and Don't

Do

• Stay with the group. Isolated individuals are vulnerable to arrest, harassment, or mob violence. Buddies are safer than lone protesters.
• Follow marshals. They are there for safety and coordination. If they say disperse, disperse. If they say sit, sit.
• Document everything. Photos, videos, badge numbers, time stamps. But — be aware that filming police can provoke them. Use judgment.
• Help the injured. If someone is hurt, get them to the medical team or a safe point. Don't leave them.
• Stay calm. Panic spreads. A calm voice and steady body language can de-escalate a tense situation.
• Keep lanes clear. Ambulances and emergency vehicles must pass. If the protest is on a road, leave at least one lane open.
• Know your exits. Always have an escape route in mind. Don't let the crowd push you into a corner.
• Protect vulnerable people. Children, elderly, disabled participants, and women should be near the center, not the edges where police confrontation is most likely.
• Use plain language. If you're communicating with police or media, be clear and direct. Avoid slogans when trying to negotiate.

Don't

• Don't throw anything. Not stones, not bottles, not fireworks. One projectile turns a peaceful assembly into an unlawful one under Section 141 IPC.
• Don't damage property. Broken windows, burning vehicles, defaced monuments — these are evidence of "unlawful assembly" and "rioting."
• Don't engage with provocateurs. If someone is trying to start violence, distance yourself. They may be police plants, opposing group infiltrators, or simply reckless. Either way, they endanger everyone.
• Don't argue with police in the moment. You won't win a constitutional argument on the street. Comply, document, and fight it later in court.
• Don't run unless necessary. Running triggers panic and stampede. Walk quickly and calmly to the exit. Run only if there is immediate physical danger.
• Don't bring weapons. Even sticks, rods, or helmets carried as weapons are "arms" under Article 19(1)(b). An armed assembly is not protected.
• Don't block emergency services. Hospitals, fire stations, and ambulance routes must remain accessible. Blocking them is not protest — it is obstruction, and the public will turn against you.
• Don't use slurs or hate speech. Section 153A IPC applies. Criticize the government, not communities. The law protects dissent, not hate.
• Don't livestream everything. Livestreams can be used by police to identify participants. Record, but upload later. Or use a secure, encrypted channel.
• Don't wear expensive or identifiable items. Jewelry, distinctive clothing, and branded bags make you easy to identify and target later.

First Aid: What to Know

Tear Gas Exposure

• Symptoms: Burning eyes, coughing, difficulty breathing, skin irritation.
• Immediate action: Move to fresh air immediately. Face into the wind. Do not rub your eyes — it spreads the chemical.
• Rinse eyes: Tilt head back, pour clean water or saline from the inner corner outward. Blink repeatedly. Repeat for 15 minutes if needed.
• Skin: Wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Do not use oil-based creams — they trap the chemical.
• Prevention: Avoid contact lenses. Wear goggles if possible. A damp cloth over nose and mouth provides some filtering.
• Aftercare: Symptoms usually subside within 30 minutes. If breathing difficulty persists beyond 1 hour, seek medical attention.

Lathi Charge / Baton Injuries

• Head injuries: Any blow to the head is serious. Even if the person seems fine, watch for confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. Get to a hospital immediately.
• Fractures: Do not move the limb. Immobilize with a splint (a stick, rolled newspaper, or rigid object). Apply ice if available. Transport to hospital.
• Bleeding: Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. Elevate the wound above the heart if possible. If bleeding doesn't stop in 10 minutes, seek emergency care.
• Contusions (bruises): Ice for 15–20 minutes, elevate, rest. Monitor for swelling or numbness.

Pepper Spray Exposure

• Similar to tear gas but more intense. The active ingredient is capsaicin (chili extract).
• Do not use water alone. Water can spread the oil-based capsaicin. Use a mixture of milk and water, or a baking soda solution (1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 liter water).
• Eyes: Rinse with the solution above. Blink rapidly. Do not rub.
• Skin: Wash with dish soap or baby shampoo — these break down the oil. Then rinse with water.
• Duration: Effects last 30 minutes to 2 hours. Most people recover fully without lasting damage.

Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration

• Symptoms: Heavy sweating, cool skin, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, weakness.
• Action: Move to shade, lie down, loosen clothing, sip water or oral rehydration solution (ORS). Apply cool, wet cloths to skin.
• Heat stroke (emergency): Hot, dry skin, confusion, fainting. Call emergency services immediately. Cool the person with water and ice packs while waiting.

Stampede / Crush Injuries

• If you are in a crowd surge: Don't fight against the flow. Move diagonally toward the edges. Protect your chest and head with your arms.
• If you fall: Curl into a ball, hands over head, face down. Try to get up immediately. If you can't, cover your head and wait for the surge to pass.
• After a stampede: Check for breathing difficulty, chest pain, or abdominal injuries. Crush injuries can be internal and life-threatening. Seek hospital evaluation.

What Every Medical Team Should Carry

• Saline solution (eye wash) — multiple bottles
• Baking soda + water (pepper spray rinse)
• Milk (for pepper spray — single-serve tetra packs)
• Bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes
• Splints (or improvised: rolled newspapers, sticks)
• Instant cold packs
• ORS packets and water bottles
• Disposable gloves
• Scissors, tweezers
• Emergency contact list and hospital map

Organization: Roles and Responsibilities

Marshals

• Front marshals: Lead the march, set the pace, hold banners, communicate with police.
• Rear marshals: Prevent stragglers from being left behind, watch for approaching police from behind, close the march.
• Flank marshals: Walk the sides, keep the crowd from spreading into traffic, protect vulnerable participants.
• All marshals: Wear distinctive armbands or vests so they are visible. Carry a whistle. Do not carry weapons.

Medical Team

• Minimum 2 people per 100 participants. Positioned at front, middle, and rear of large marches.
• Carry the medical kit listed above. Know the nearest hospital and how to get there.
• Medical team does not participate in slogans or confrontation. Their job is to watch and respond.

Legal Observers

• Trained volunteers who document police actions, arrests, and violations without participating in the protest.
• They carry notebooks, cameras, and the legal aid hotline. Their presence deters police misconduct.
• Legal observers should wear distinctive clothing (often green hats or vests) and identify themselves to police if asked.

Communication Lead

• Manages the broadcast channel (WhatsApp/Telegram group) with real-time updates.
• Monitors police scanner apps, local news, and social media for route changes, blockades, or emergency alerts.
• Has the phone numbers of all marshals, medical team leads, and legal observers.

Media Liaison

• Designated person to speak with journalists. They know the protest's key message and can give a coherent statement.
• They also monitor media coverage and correct misinformation.

Legal Remedies: After the Protest

If You Were Arrested

• Right to be informed: Police must tell you why you are being arrested. If they don't, ask: "Under what section am I being arrested?"
• Right to a lawyer: Demand it immediately. You do not have to wait until the police station. A lawyer can be present during questioning.
• Right to be produced before a magistrate: Within 24 hours. If this is violated, the detention is illegal and can be challenged through a writ of habeas corpus.
• Right to remain silent: You do not have to answer questions. Anything you say can be used against you. The safest answer is: "I will answer only in the presence of my lawyer."
• Right to medical examination: If you have injuries, demand a medical examination at the time of arrest. The police must document injuries.
• Right to inform a relative: You have the right to have someone informed of your arrest.
• Do not sign anything: Blank papers, confessions, or statements without understanding them. If you are illiterate, ask for a translator.

If You Were Injured by Police

• Document immediately: Photograph injuries with timestamps. Get a medical report from a government hospital (it carries more weight than a private clinic).
• File a complaint: With the Superintendent of Police (SP) or District Magistrate (DM). If they refuse to register, file a private complaint before a magistrate under Section 200 CrPC.
• RTI for evidence: Use the Right to Information Act to obtain CCTV footage, police deployment records, and duty rosters for the day.
• Compensation: You can file a claim for compensation under public law for violation of fundamental rights. The Supreme Court has awarded compensation in cases of police brutality.
• Witnesses: Collect names and contact numbers of witnesses. Video footage is the strongest evidence.

If Your Property Was Damaged

• Photograph and document: Before cleaning up, photograph everything. Get repair estimates.
• Insurance: If you have property or vehicle insurance, file a claim. The police report (FIR) is usually required.
• Compensation from state: In some cases, the state compensates for damage caused during police action (e.g., forced entry, tear gas damage to shops). File a claim with the DM.

If You Were Falsely Charged

• Apply for bail: Most protest-related charges (Section 144 violation, Section 188 IPC) are bailable. A lawyer can get you bail quickly.
• Challenge the FIR: If the FIR is frivolous or malicious, you can file a petition under Section 482 CrPC (inherent powers of High Court) to quash it.
• Defamation counter-claim: If police or media falsely accused you of violence, you may have a claim for defamation.
• Malicious prosecution: If the case is demonstrably false and filed to harass you, you can sue for malicious prosecution after acquittal.

Useful Legal Contacts

• National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): Free legal aid for those who cannot afford a lawyer. 24/7 helpline varies by state — check nalsa.gov.in.
• State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA): Every state has one. They provide free lawyers for arrestees and detainees.
• People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL): Monitors civil liberties violations and provides legal assistance. pucl.org.
• Human Rights Law Network (HRLN): Provides legal aid for human rights violations. hrln.org.
• Local bar associations: Many have pro bono or reduced-fee schemes for protest-related arrests.
• Legal observers: Organizations like PUCL and Amnesty International India train legal observers who can document violations in real time.

Communication: When Networks Go Down

Before the Protest

• Download offline maps: Google Maps, OsmAnd, or Maps.me. Mark the route, hospitals, and police stations.
• Mesh messaging apps: Bridgefy, Briar, or Serval Mesh work without internet using Bluetooth. Download and test in advance.
• Walkie-talkies: Cheap, effective, and don't rely on cellular networks. Assign channels to different teams (medical, marshals, legal).
• Backup meeting point: If the main gathering point is blocked or dispersed, where do you regroup? Everyone should know this.

During Internet Shutdowns

• SMS still works: In many shutdowns, SMS is not blocked. Keep messages short and avoid group texts (they fail more often).
• Phone calls: Voice calls may work even when data is blocked. Have a phone tree: each person calls two others.
• Physical runners: If all electronic communication fails, designated runners carry messages between marshals and the medical team.
• Signal mirrors or whistles: Pre-arranged signals. One whistle blast = regroup. Two = disperse. Three = medical emergency.

After the Protest: Debrief and Documentation

• Collect all footage: Gather photos and videos from participants. Back them up to multiple locations (cloud, external drive, trusted contact's phone).
• Document injuries: Medical reports, photographs, witness statements. Time-stamped evidence is stronger.
• File RTIs: For police deployment records, CCTV footage, and any orders issued under Section 144.
• Legal follow-up: Meet with the legal team within 48 hours. File for bail, quash false FIRs, or pursue compensation claims.
• Media follow-up: Correct misinformation. Issue a statement with the protest's narrative, supported by evidence.
• Team debrief: What went well? What didn't? Update the plan for next time. Protests are learned by doing, but the learning must be deliberate.

Exam-Ready Summary

• Preparation is the difference between a disciplined protest and a riot. Scout, plan, assign roles.
• First aid knowledge prevents injuries from becoming emergencies. Tear gas, pepper spray, lathi injuries, and heat exhaustion are the most common.
• Organization roles: marshals, medical team, legal observers, communication lead, media liaison. Each has a distinct job.
• Legal remedies after arrest: bail, quashing FIR, compensation for injuries, challenging illegal detention.
• Communication redundancy: offline maps, mesh apps, walkie-talkies, physical runners, and pre-arranged signals.
• Documentation after the protest: footage, medical reports, RTIs, legal follow-up, media correction.

Sources & Further Reading