Delhi protest venues
The Delhi Police has partially withdrawn Jantar Mantar’s designation as a venue for protests and demonstrations and named three alternative sites. A standing order dated October 11 identifies Ramlila Ground, CBD Ground and Burari Ground as the new designated venues. Revised standard operating procedures for protests at the sites will be issued separately.
The new order partially modifies the Delhi Police standing order of April 28, 2022, which had designated Jantar Mantar as a protest venue. It was signed by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar. Ramlila Ground is in Old Delhi, CBD Ground is in East Delhi and Burari Ground is in North Delhi.
The three alternative sites are stated to be 3 km, 13.5 km and 44 km from Jantar Mantar, respectively.
The decision comes amid a standoff between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Delhi Police over permission for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. CJP leaders have demanded a date for their proposed demonstration and an explanation for the denial of permission. The leaders left Parliament Street police station on Monday.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said, “We have given them 24 hours to give us a date.” He warned that the party would announce a march if the police did not respond. Das also said, “The Government of India is waging a war on its own citizens.”
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday, October 13, a plea challenging the closure of Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests. The court declined an urgent hearing on a separate petition concerning protests held on October 10 and 11.
The court noted that the Supreme Court was already seized of the matter and had sought affidavits from the Union government.
The change also comes as security was heightened in Delhi ahead of a planned INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court. The proposed march concerns allegations of irregularities in the SIR process involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The police order does not explicitly link the decision on Jantar Mantar to either the INDIA bloc march or the CJP protest.
The order cites recommendations from a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
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