Kiran Bedi backs move to de-notify Jantar Mantar as protest site

Kiran Bedi, the former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, has endorsed the decision to withdraw Jantar Mantar's status as an authorized protest site, arguing the historic location is unsuitable for demonstrations. In her assessment, the 18th-century monument's characteristics make it inadequate for hosting large-scale public agitations.

Bedi's position comes against the backdrop of sustained protests at Jantar Mantar against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the national medical entrance examination. The former IPS officer had previously urged protest organizers to relocate demonstrations to Ramlila Ground, citing potential threats to national security and public order.

The de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue marks a significant shift in Delhi's regulatory approach to demonstrations at heritage sites. The move restricts where citizens can stage public agitations, potentially affecting the traditional use of the location as a gathering point for activism and public discourse.

Bedi's backing of the de-notification adds administrative weight to the decision, though it has drawn scrutiny from civil liberties advocates who argue it may curtail the right to peaceful assembly and protest. The issue reflects broader tensions between security considerations and constitutional protections for democratic expression in India.