Delhi Police denotify Jantar Mantar as designated protest site
Groups face difficulties finding alternative venues after the site was removed from the list of designated protest spaces in Delhi.
The Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest space on October 9, according to a report by The Indian Express. The police have named Burari Ground, Ramlila Ground, and CBD Ground as three alternative venues.
The change follows a Supreme Court order on October 9, which recorded that suitable alternative sites for protests need to be identified and designated. The police stated they modified their standing order based on recommendations from a committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Several groups have faced challenges using the new locations. Naga Students’ Union president Chipika Zhimo said the Union planned a demonstration against violence in Manipur for October 12, but the application was not accepted. Zhimo said the group decided not to protest after being unable to secure permission for Burari Ground through the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) website.
The LPG Distributors’ Association (LDAI) also faced issues at CBD Ground. National president B S Sharma said the DDA granted permission to use part of the ground, but Delhi Police removed their tents on the night of October 25, claiming they had sought permission under the wrong criteria. Approximately 5,000 distributors instead protested on the road opposite the CBD Ground on October 26.
The Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh has sought permission to protest at Ramlila Maidan on December 14 to demand the inclusion of the OBC column in the caste census. General secretary Sachin Bhaurao Rajurkar said the group had requested space for 500 people after learning Jantar Mantar was no longer available.