Protests no longer allowed at Jantar Mantar as Modi government de-notifies site
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Delhi's Ramleela Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi designated as new protest sites.
The designated protest site status of Jantar Mantar, which has long been used for protests in Delhi, has been revoked. This information was provided in a circular issued by the Delhi Police on Monday. The circular also lists three new locations for organizing protests: Ramleela Maidan in Delhi, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
According to the Delhi Police's circular,
the Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a committee to identify suitable alternative locations for citizens to organize protests and demonstrations. The committee was tasked with assessing other appropriate sites in place of the existing designated protest site. Based on its recommendations, Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a protest site.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Monday refused to hear a petition challenging the ban on protests at Jantar Mantar and the failure to designate alternative sites. The court stated that the matter would be heard on Tuesday. The petition raises the issue of the availability of space for peaceful protests in the capital.
A lawyer mentioned the case before the bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Vasudev Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma, seeking an urgent hearing. The lawyer argued that the lack of designated alternative protest sites by the administration is stifling peaceful protests. He described it as a serious issue related to freedom of expression.
The bench stated that,
the Supreme Court is already considering matters related to protests and has sought a response from the central government. According to the court, since the apex court is hearing this issue, the High Court must see to what extent it can reconsider the same matter.
The bench added,
“We will hear it on Tuesday. The Supreme Court is also considering this matter. Moreover, the Supreme Court has also asked the central government to file an affidavit. Since the Supreme Court is looking into this matter, we must see to what extent we can reconsider it. Therefore, we will take it up on Tuesday.”
The lawyer seeking urgent hearing told the court that,
the restrictions have significantly impacted the right to speak and express oneself. He argued that free expression is being suppressed on a large scale and this has a widespread effect. According to him, it is essential to have a suitable place available for peaceful protests through legal means.
The lawyer stated,
“Today, Jantar Mantar is also closed. The administration has not designated any other place where protests can be held legally. Today, peaceful protests are being suppressed. This is going to be a dark day. We faced such a situation in 1975.”
The High Court will also hear another petition on Tuesday. This petition alleges that outsiders intruded during the protests over the weekend and harassed the demonstrators. The court has agreed to take up this petition for hearing the next day as well. Thus, two petitions related to protests in the capital will be heard on Tuesday.
It is noteworthy that over the past week, leftist student organizations, political parties, and opposition leaders have protested in various areas of Central and South Delhi. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of voter lists.
During these protests, the Delhi Police imposed strict restrictions and did not allow demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. Hundreds of people arriving for the protests were detained, including students, opposition leaders, and lawyers from the High Court and Supreme Court. Questions have been raised in the courts regarding the restrictions and detention actions.
On the call of the Cockroach People’s Party, hundreds took to the streets on October 10 and 11. Now, with the revocation of Jantar Mantar's status and the announcement of new sites, the hearing on protest-related restrictions on Tuesday will be crucial.