New Delhi, Oct 12: The Delhi Police has withdrawn Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest site and named three alternative venues for demonstrations.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued the standing order on October 11, designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the new venues for protests and demonstrations.
"Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had constituted a committee to examine alternative proper venues for citizens' right to organise protest/demonstrations in place of the existing 'designated site'," the order read.
The order added that a revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for organising demonstrations at the three new venues would be issued separately. The move partially modifies an earlier standing order issued on April 28, 2022.
The decision comes amid heightened security in the national capital following calls for protests at Jantar Mantar.
The Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the decision, alleging that the move reflected a disregard for democratic rights.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh described the decision as a sign of “extreme panic” and said Jantar Mantar had long served as a place where citizens could raise their voices against those in power.
“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 social media post.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) also opposed the decision. Its co-convener, Saurav Das, called the move “unacceptable” and questioned whether the Ministry of Home Affairs had consulted citizens or organisations before changing the designated protest venue.
“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,” Das said.
A historic site of protest
For decades, Jantar Mantar has been a prominent venue for public demonstrations in the capital, hosting protests over corruption, women’s safety, racial discrimination and other issues.
In 2011, social activist Anna Hazare began a five-day hunger strike at the site demanding a stronger Jan Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption.
In December 2012, Jantar Mantar and its surrounding areas became a focal point for demonstrations following the gang rape of a young woman on a moving bus in Delhi. The woman, widely known as Nirbhaya, later died of her injuries, triggering nationwide protests.
The site also saw demonstrations in 2014 following the death of Nido Tania, a student from Arunachal Pradesh who was allegedly assaulted in southeast Delhi. The incident sparked protests against racial discrimination and violence targeting people from the Northeast.
Dr Pranav Raj Singh, a Delhi resident who participated in protests following the Nirbhaya case, recalled being deeply affected by the incident as a teenager.
“I was traumatised to learn that something so horrendous could happen in the national capital. When the protests began, I knew I had to be a part of them. I had to take a stand, so my friends and I went to Jantar Mantar,” he told the news agency.
Rani Sharma, who participated in the Anna Hazare movement, said withdrawing Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest venue would reduce the space available for dissent.
She said the site’s proximity to the seat of power had made it an important place for citizens to voice their concerns and hold the government accountable.
“The proximity of Jantar Mantar to the highest offices of the government makes it an appropriate venue to raise one's voice and be heard. Its de-notification is a crackdown on dissenting voices,” she said.