Delhi Police De-notifies Jantar Mantar as Designated Protest Venue

Delhi Police issued a circular on Monday formally de-notifying Jantar Mantar, the historic plaza in central Delhi's Lutyens area, as a designated protest site. The decision marks an end to decades of the location serving as the primary venue for demonstrations, rallies, and public gatherings in the national capital.

The circular simultaneously announced three new venues approved for holding demonstrations. These alternative sites have been identified to manage public assemblies while maintaining order in the capital. The move comes as Delhi Police reorganizes protocols governing protests and public gatherings across the city.

Jantar Mantar, located near Parliament Street, has long been synonymous with activism and public dissent in India. The site witnessed countless demonstrations ranging from political protests to civil society campaigns. Its de-notification follows periodic reviews by authorities regarding the management of public demonstrations in high-security areas of central Delhi.

The identification of alternative protest venues aims to balance citizens' constitutional right to peaceful assembly with security and administrative considerations in Lutyens' Delhi. Organisers of demonstrations will now be required to obtain permissions for the newly designated sites. The specific locations and operational guidelines for the three new venues were outlined in the police circular.