DELHI POLICE on Monday denotified Jantar Mantar as designated protest site and notified three other venues instead, two of which are at least 20 km from Central Delhi.
The order came after Congress-led INDIA Opposition bloc, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), and Left parties called for protests at various places in Central Delhi, including Jantar Mantar, over past week to demand resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Over past three days, Delhi Police deployed thousands of personnel to secure the heart of Lutyens' Delhi and detained several thousand people to ensure they do not protest at Jantar Mantar. The venue was site of massive protests and hunger strikes organised by CJP and other outfits in June-July demanding accountability over NEET paper leak, which finally ended with resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
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The three alternative venues named by police - Ramleela Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground i East Delhi - seek to take demonstrations away fron central administrative area around Parliament
While Ramleela Maidan is in Central Delhi, Burari Ground lies to northwest and CBD Ground is more than 26 km to northeast of monument. Ramleela Maidan is around 3.4 km from Jantar Mantar, making it closer to former protest site than other two venues. It has a long history of hosting political rallies and public movements, including Jayaprakash Narayan's rally in 1975 and anti-corruption protests of 2011-12.
However, Ramleela Maidan is frequently booked weeks or months in advance. A PTI report quoting officials said the 12-acre ground that can accommodate 50,000 people is available for only three days this year - from December 29 to 31. It costs Rs 50,000 per day to book Maidan, apart from a Rs 55,000 refundable security deposit.
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Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar said in a standing order that revised SOPs governing protests, including procedure for seeking permission at three venues, would be issued separately. Order dated October 11 and made public Monday said new arrangement follows recommendations of committee constituted by MHA to examine alternative venues for protests, and partially modifies earlier standing order dated April 28, 2022.
CJP leaders had met Delhi Police to seek date and time for holding protest at Jantar Mantar. Das said, "You (police) asked us to seek permission at least 10 days in advance to hold a protest at designated site We have come here to ask the police to inform us the date and time
Tags: #JantarMantar #DelhiPolice #RightToProtest #RamleelaMaidan #BurariGround #Article 19 #CJP #Redemocratisation #LutyensDelhi #ProtestSite