Opposition launches 'mission to restore democracy' amid Jantar Mantar row

The opposition coalition said it would mount a legal and political challenge against the Centre's move to revoke Jantar Mantar's status as a protest venue, framing the action as an assault on citizens' constitutional freedoms. The decision to de-notify the Delhi landmark, long used as a focal point for demonstrations, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition benches.

Rahul Gandhi, a prominent opposition figure, declared that defending democratic rights would be central to the opposition's agenda going forward. He asserted that the removal of Jantar Mantar as a permitted protest site represented an encroachment on fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.

As part of its broader campaign, the opposition has announced plans to form an 'India Plus group,' a coordination mechanism aimed at strengthening opposition unity on key policy matters and constitutional issues. The grouping is expected to serve as a platform for joint responses to government decisions perceived as threatening democratic institutions and individual rights.

The opposition's stand reflects growing tension between the government and opposition parties over the space available for public dissent and civil protest in India. The move to restrict protest venues has become a flashpoint in the wider debate over the state of democratic freedoms in the country.