Delhi removes Jantar Mantar as protest site, designates three new venues
Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar will no longer serve as a designated protest location and named three alternative grounds for demonstrations.
A Delhi Police circular confirmed that Jantar Mantar has been stripped of its status as an official protest venue. The change follows a Ministry of Home Affairs committee’s review of alternative locations for public demonstrations. Consequently, three grounds—Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground—have been appointed as the new authorized sites.
Officials indicated that a revised set of standard operating procedures for organizing protests at these locations will be released separately. The move aims to provide proper spaces for citizens to exercise their right to protest while managing public order. The decision reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to regulate demonstration sites in the capital.
Why it matters
It reshapes where citizens can legally gather to protest in Delhi, affecting public assembly rights.
How this story developed
- Oct 8 Protests swell as India’s election commission faces allegations over voter-roll purge
- Oct 9 Delhi police say restrictions on the Cockroach Janta Party’s planned rally at Jantar Mantar are needed to avoid overcrowding and protect the public.
- Oct 9 Police have deployed over 20,000 officers and closed metro gates ahead of the planned protests.
- Oct 10 Police detained many individuals in the hours before the scheduled rally.
- Oct 10 Mumbai police detained Tushar Gandhi, a Gandhi descendant, as part of the wider crackdown.
- Oct 10 The Supreme Court ordered that some train services remain operational despite earlier shutdown orders.
- Oct 10 Police deployed thousands of personnel, closed 45 metro stations and detained additional opposition figures and activists.
- Oct 10 Authorities detained over 1,000 activists and arrested more than 600 people with criminal histories.
- Oct 11 Delhi imposed wide‑scale traffic diversions around key intersections as the protest entered its second day.
- Oct 11 CJP leaders were released after posting a ₹50,000 surety bond.
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