The Delhi Police, on October 12, 2026, denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site in the national capital. Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground have been designated as alternatives to Jantar Mantar for demonstrations.
The move, as per a standing order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, comes as the capital is witnessing a slew of protests and demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Student-led organisations, youth organisations such as the Cockroach Janta Party, and INDIA bloc leaders held demonstrations in and around the Jantar Mantar area and Central Delhi, with thousands being detained for unlawful assembly. The de-notification of Jantar Mantar has drawn criticism from activists and Opposition parties who allege that this is a stifling of the citizens’ right to protest. In July 2026, demonstrations by the Cockroach Janta Party over the NEET paper leak were also held at Jantar Mantar.
Here’s everything you need to know about three new designated protest venues - Ramlila Maidan, CBD Ground, and Burari Ground.
Jantar Mantar: From astronomical observatory to landmark protest site
Ramlila Maidan
Ramlila Maidan, or Ramlila Ground, is located 4 km from Jantar Mantar. It spans over 12 acres and over the decades has played an important part in the political history of the country. It is run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for all management and booking purposes.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee, regarded as the inspiration behind the Bharatiya Janta Party(BJP), launched his satyagraha in 1952 from Ramlila Maidan against Article 370, which had at the time provided temporary special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In 1956 and 1957, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, addressed large public meetings from the ground.
In 1962, during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II, a large permanent stage on the ground was built in honour of the British monarch.
The ground is frequently used to hold cultural gatherings like the annual Dussehra and Ramlila festivities.
CBD Ground
The CBD ground is located in a busy commercial area of Shahdara and is maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). It is 13 km away from Jantar Mantar.
It has a total area of 12 acres and is adjoined by Vikas Marg, a vast arterial road in East Delhi that connects the Trans-Yamuna region of Central Delhi via ITO Bridge.
CBD ground’s location in a densely developed neighbourhood raises questions over the potential impact of protests on nearby communities and businesses.
Burari Ground
Burari Ground in North-West Delhi, also known as ‘Nirankari Ground,’ is the largest of the three designated sites. It is the farthest of the three from Jantar Mantar and is situated 15 km away from the former protest site. Burari Ground is run and managed by the Delhi Development Authority.
It has an area of 50 acres and is bounded by Dr K. B. Hegdewar Marg and Shah Alam Band Marg to the south and north, respectively. Burari Ground regularly witnesses many cultural and political programmes.
Price-point and availability of Ramlila Maidan
News agency PTI notes that Ramlila Maidan has no free dates for the next two and a half months. Only December 29,30, and 31 are open for booking this year, according to officials. The booking rate for the ground is ₹50,000 per day, plus a ₹55,000 security deposit that is refundable. The initial outlay, including taxes, comes to ₹1.21 lakh for a day’s booking, the report adds. Civic officials have clarified that a small part of the ground is open for gatherings for free but it hosts only up to 150 people.
A 2017 report by The Hindu noted that only one party can book the venue at a time. This raises questions about how protesters from different organisations can effectively demonstrate at Ramlila Maidan. Compared to this, Jantar Mantar was free and did not have any booking charge.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) also raised concerns over noise, traffic congestion, and prolonged sit-in demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in 2017, The Hindu reported. After a July 2018 Supreme Court order, which held that public protests could not be completely banned, the Delhi Police released a standing order which said that the site could be a protest site for up to 1,000 people.
Previously, in 2003, Delhi Police issued a Standing Order in which it elaborated that “if it was less than 5,000, Jantar Mantar could be the site. If it was more than 5,000 but less than 50,000, protesters had to be guided towards Ramlila Maidan for their demonstrations. If the footfall was to be greater than 50,000, Burari grounds was to be the site. If it was even bigger, protesters were guided towards Narela,” according to a 2026 report in The Hindu.
What is the situation now?
On October 13, 2026, Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das, Ajinkya Shinde, and Ashutosh Ranka were detained, while they were trying to enter Jantar Mantar.
In an X post, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said that several leaders have also been picked up by the Delhi Police. Reacting to the video posted by Mr. Dipke, showing CJP protesters carrying a flag near Jantar Mantar, a senior Delhi Police officer told The Hindu that the protesters had entered the area through the eateries and food stalls near the protest site. With Jantar Mantar having been de-notified as a protest site, staging demonstrations there is illegal, the officer said, adding that the protesters were detained immediately and further action was underway.
(With inputs from PTI)