Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a designated protest site in Delhi, with the Delhi Police naming Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as alternative venues for demonstrations and sit-ins.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued the standing order on October 11, following recommendations by a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to examine alternative venues for protests.
The order stated that the committee was formed to identify suitable locations where citizens could exercise their right to organise protests and demonstrations in place of the existing designated site at Jantar Mantar.
“Based on the recommendations of the committee, Jantar Mantar as a protest venue has been de-notified,” the order stated, adding that Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi had been designated as the new venues.
A detailed, revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for organising protests and demonstrations at the three sites will be issued separately, the order said. It partially modifies an earlier standing order, numbered L&O/48/22, issued on April 28, 2022.
The move comes amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital following calls for protests at Jantar Mantar.
The Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, alleging that democracy no longer mattered to them and that it was all a matter of “demokursi”.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the decision was a definite sign of “extreme panic” gripping the prime minister and home minister, arguing that the historic Jantar Mantar would no longer be a place where democracy received a daily booster dose.
“The poisonous pair is embattled, and we have seen in the past few days how brutally they have dealt with peaceful public protests,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
“Democracy no longer matters for them. It is all a matter of Demokursi,” he added.
His remarks came after the Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and named three alternative venues for demonstrations.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order on October 11, designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the new venues for protests and demonstrations.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Saurav Das on Monday criticised the decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, calling it an “assault” on the fundamental right to protest and assemble peacefully.
“Unacceptable. Why is Narendra Modi scared of Jantar Mantar?” Das said in a post on X, adding that the party would not accept what he described as an arbitrary decision.
Questioning whether the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had consulted citizens, stakeholders or organisations before taking the decision, Das said Jantar Mantar belonged to the people of India.
“Did the Ministry of Home Affairs consult with the people of India? Were any stakeholders consulted? Were any organisations consulted?” he asked.
Das alleged that the decision was a step towards restricting democratic rights in the country, drawing a parallel between the de-notification of the protest site and a potential threat to democracy.
“Take it in writing — just how they are denotifying people's Jantar Mantar, the prime minister will soon denotify democracy in India. This move is a step towards that,” he said.
“We do not accept this arbitrary decision. It is an assault on people's fundamental right to protest and peaceful assembly. Now the whole country is becoming Jantar Mantar,” he added.
