Delhi Police has removed Jantar Mantar in Lutyens’ Delhi from the list of designated venues for protests and demonstrations. In a circular issued on Monday, the police also announced three alternative locations across the city where people can organise demonstrations. The circular stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs had formed a committee to identify suitable alternative venues for citizens to exercise their right to organise protests and demonstrations. The committee was tasked with finding replacements for the existing designated protest site. Following the committee’s recommendations, authorities decided to de-notify Jantar Mantar as an authorised protest venue. The police circular also named three new locations for holding demonstrations.

Delhi Gets Three New Designated Protest Venues

According to the Delhi Police circular, the three new designated venues for protests and demonstrations are:

• Ramlila Ground
• Burari Ground
• CBD Ground in Shahdara

The police said they would issue a separate circular containing detailed and revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) for organising protests at these locations. The new venues are spread across different parts of Delhi and vary considerably in their distance from Jantar Mantar. Ramlila Ground is the closest to Lutyens’ Delhi, located approximately four kilometres from Jantar Mantar. Burari Ground lies around 18 kilometres away, while CBD Ground in Shahdara is more than 12 kilometres from the former protest site. Ramlila Ground has a long history of hosting major public demonstrations and political agitations.

Opposition Reacts to Jantar Mantar’s Removal

The decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues has triggered political reactions, with critics questioning the move. Reacting to the decision, a political leader wrote on X, “They have removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Yes, it’s no a longer protest site as anyway it was turned into a war zone by the coward dictator. Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar banega! [entire country will become Jantar Mantar now],” The remarks reflect opposition to the decision and signal the possibility of protests continuing at other locations across the country.

Jantar Mantar Returns to the Spotlight Amid Election Controversy

Jantar Mantar had returned to the centre of political attention last month after an investigative report raised allegations of irregularities involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The report intensified Opposition parties’ criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and gave fresh momentum to their allegations of “vote chori”, or vote theft. The Opposition has questioned the electoral revision process and raised concerns about decisions taken during the exercise. These allegations have contributed to renewed calls for demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Mass Detentions Preceded the Decision

The de-notification of Jantar Mantar came after a weekend marked by mass detentions in Delhi. Several former chief ministers were among those detained as authorities responded to planned protests against Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police described the detentions as preventive measures intended to maintain law and order amid protest calls from several groups. The demonstrations were primarily organised in response to demands for action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The developments have added to tensions between the authorities and Opposition groups over the election-related allegations and the right to stage public demonstrations.

Investigative Report Raises Questions Over SIR Decisions

The investigative report that prompted the latest calls for protests also raised questions about the functioning of the Election Commission during the SIR exercise. According to the report, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times over the previous 10 months to decisions and orders related to the revision process. The report claimed that the two commissioners raised concerns that certain decisions had been issued without their knowledge or recommendation. These allegations have become a key part of the current controversy surrounding the Chief Election Commissioner and the SIR exercise. However, the claims remain allegations reported in the investigation. With Jantar Mantar no longer designated as a protest venue, demonstrators seeking to organise rallies in Delhi will have to consider the three newly designated locations and follow the revised procedures that police authorities are expected to issue.