Delhi Police has stopped political parties and organisations from holding protests at Jantar Mantar and designated three other locations for demonstrations. The decision has drawn strong criticism from Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka.
The police order identifies Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground in East Delhi as the alternative venues. A separate, revised standard operating procedure will be issued for organising protests at those locations.
CJP objects to the decision
Dipke described the decision as anti-democratic and criticised it in a on X. He said removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites could be followed by the removal of democracy itself.
His response also argued that the central issue was not the location of a protest, but the idea of citizens demonstrating. These comments were made after the police order became public.
Ranka also criticised the timing of the move. He said CJP representatives had met Delhi Police to request a date for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. According to his account, the protest site was removed from the authorised list 30 minutes after that meeting.
Police cites security and public convenience
The order was issued on Monday with the signature of Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar. It states that political parties and organisations will no longer be permitted to hold demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police cited the capital's security and the inconvenience caused to the public by protests as the reasons behind the change. The revised arrangements will shift authorised demonstrations to the three newly designated locations.
The order also refers to recommendations made by a committee. It identifies the three alternative grounds, while the detailed operating procedure for protests at those sites is to be issued separately.
The change directly affects groups seeking permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar. They will instead have to use the locations listed in the police order once the revised procedure is issued.
Conclusion
Delhi Police has ended authorised protests at Jantar Mantar and named three alternative venues, while CJP leaders have condemned the decision as a restriction on democratic dissent. The next stated step is the release of detailed procedures for demonstrations at the new sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What has Delhi Police changed?
Delhi Police has stopped political parties and organisations from holding protests at Jantar Mantar.
Q. Which alternative protest venues were named?
The order names Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
Q. Why did police give for the change?
Delhi Police cited security in the capital and inconvenience to the public caused by demonstrations.
Q. Who criticised the decision?
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka criticised the move.
Q. What will happen next for protests at the new sites?
Delhi Police is expected to issue a separate, revised standard operating procedure for demonstrations at the three venues.
