Delhi Police De-notifies Jantar Mantar as Protest Venue
Delhi Police replaced Jantar Mantar with three new designated protest sites to improve public safety and provide better amenities for demonstrators.
The Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations on October 12, 2026. The agency replaced the historic site with three new designated locations: Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
This decision follows recommendations from a Ministry of Home Affairs committee tasked with identifying alternative venues to reduce traffic congestion and enhance public safety. The shift comes after recent tensions involving protests by the Congress party and the Cockroach Janata Party, both of which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The move also aligns with recent guidance from the Supreme Court of India, which urged authorities to ensure that protest sites provide basic amenities, including drinking water, toilets, and medical assistance. While Jantar Mantar has served as a central hub for dissent since 1993, organizers must now use the new grounds and adhere to revised standard operating procedures to be issued by the police.
