Delhi Police removes Jantar Mantar from designated protest sites list

Delhi Police has removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites in the national capital, shifting permitted demonstrations further away from Parliament and key government offices.

Under the new arrangement, protests and sit-ins will now be restricted to three alternative locations: Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi, Burari Ground, and the CBD Ground in east Delhi. Separate standard operating procedures will be issued for these new venues.

The decision follows the review of suitable locations for demonstrations by a committee formed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs as an alternative to existing designated sites. The relocation distances from Parliament vary significantly across the new venues. Ramlila Maidan is situated about three kilometres from Jantar Mantar, while the CBD Ground is approximately 12 kilometres from Parliament, and Burari Ground lies roughly 23 kilometres away.

This shift continues a historical trend of moving large demonstrations away from the central power corridors of New Delhi due to growing security and traffic concerns. For decades, the Boat Club near India Gate and Parliament House served as the primary hub for rallies by farmers, employees, and student organizations. In 1988, a massive farmers’ rally led by leader Mahendra Singh Tikait at the Boat Club exerted significant pressure on the then government led by Rajiv Gandhi.

As security and traffic regulations tightened around the Boat Club area, restrictions prompted protests to move away from the central lawns. By around 1993, Jantar Mantar emerged as the principal alternative venue. For more than three decades, Jantar Mantar hosted numerous high-profile demonstrations, including the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare and protests by wrestlers.

While the administration may find it easier to manage crowds and regulate traffic at the newly designated peripheral grounds, the changes mean protesters will face greater logistical hurdles in bringing their demands directly to the vicinity of Parliament and government offices.