‘Unacceptable’: CJP Slams Move to Denotify Jantar Mantar as Protest Site

CJP Calls Jantar Mantar Decision ‘Unacceptable’

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has strongly objected to the Delhi Police’s decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues in the national capital.

CJP co-convener Saurav Das described the decision as “unacceptable” and questioned why the government had decided to discontinue the venue’s designated status. In a post on X, Das asked whether the Ministry of Home Affairs had consulted members of the public, protest organisations or other stakeholders before taking the decision.

Das argued that Jantar Mantar belonged to the people of India and criticised what he described as an arbitrary move. He also warned that the decision could affect the ability of citizens to organise peaceful demonstrations.

The CJP representative linked the development to broader concerns about democratic freedoms, arguing that restricting access to an established protest venue could undermine the right to peaceful assembly.

These statements reflect CJP’s opposition to the decision. The authorities, meanwhile, have identified alternative locations for public demonstrations. <Cite refs={["turn664919search0","turn664919search3"]}/>

Delhi Police Designates Three Alternative Protest Sites

Delhi Police has formally removed Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations and identified three alternative locations.

According to the order signed by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, the Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a committee to examine alternative venues where citizens could organise demonstrations.

Based on the committee’s recommendations, the police designated the following locations for protests:

• Ramlila Maidan: Located in central Delhi, it has hosted numerous public gatherings and political demonstrations.

• Burari Ground: An alternative venue in north Delhi.

• CBD Ground: A designated location in east Delhi.

The order was dated October 11 and the decision was reported publicly on October 12, 2026.

The change represents a shift in the designated locations available for public demonstrations in the capital. It comes after heightened security arrangements and calls for protests at several locations in central Delhi. <Cite refs={["turn664919search1","turn664919search5"]}/>

Decision Comes Amid Heightened Security in Delhi

The denotification of Jantar Mantar comes against the backdrop of recent demonstrations and heightened security arrangements in New Delhi.

CJP and other organisations had called for protests in the capital, including at Jantar Mantar, amid a wider political controversy surrounding alleged electoral irregularities and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Authorities deployed large numbers of police personnel in central Delhi and imposed security measures around sensitive locations. Reports also described detentions during demonstrations over the weekend.

The decision to designate alternative protest venues followed this period of heightened activity. However, the police order refers to the examination of alternative locations by a committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The timing has prompted criticism from CJP, which argues that removing Jantar Mantar from the designated list could limit the public’s access to a well-known venue for demonstrations. <Cite refs={["turn664919search3","turn664919search5"]}/>

CJP Seeks Permission to Protest at Jantar Mantar

Following the announcement, CJP continued to seek permission to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

According to a report by The Times of India, CJP activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka submitted a letter to the deputy commissioner of police at Parliament Street police station, asking the authorities to permit a protest at the venue.

The group gave Delhi Police 24 hours to respond to its request and asked the authorities to choose a date for the demonstration. It also urged officials to scale down the police deployment in the capital.

The letter reportedly raised concerns about road closures, barricades and the deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, which the group said had disrupted commuters and businesses.

The request places the immediate focus on whether the authorities will permit the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar despite its removal from the list of designated protest sites. The police response to the request will be important in determining the next steps for the group. <Cite refs={["turn664919search2"]}/>

Jantar Mantar’s Long History as a Protest Venue

Jantar Mantar has served as a prominent location for public demonstrations in Delhi for decades. Its proximity to central government offices and Parliament has made it a recognised gathering point for activists, political groups and citizens seeking to draw attention to their demands.

The venue has witnessed protests on a wide range of issues, including corruption, farmers’ concerns, citizenship legislation and alleged examination irregularities.

In 2011, activist Anna Hazare began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar as part of the campaign for a stronger anti-corruption law. In 2017, farmers from Tamil Nadu held demonstrations in the capital to highlight agricultural distress and demand government assistance.

The site also became widely known during the 2023 protests by wrestlers, including Olympic medallists, who demonstrated against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

In July 2018, the Supreme Court ruled against a blanket ban on protests at Jantar Mantar and the Boat Club area, while allowing demonstrations to remain subject to appropriate regulations governing their conduct and scale.

The latest decision has therefore renewed debate about how authorities can manage public demonstrations while preserving opportunities for peaceful dissent. <Cite refs={["turn664919search3","turn664919search4"]}/>

Right to Protest and Public Order

The controversy highlights the challenge of balancing the right to peaceful assembly with the authorities’ responsibility to maintain public order and manage security in the capital.

CJP has argued that removing Jantar Mantar’s designated status is an attack on the ability of citizens to protest peacefully. The police, meanwhile, have named three alternative locations following a review of protest venues.

The key question is how the new arrangements will work in practice, including whether the alternative sites are accessible to demonstrators and whether permission procedures allow peaceful protests to take place without unnecessary obstacles.

The Supreme Court’s earlier ruling on protest restrictions at Jantar Mantar also remains relevant to the wider legal context. However, the precise implications of the new police order would depend on its terms and any subsequent legal or administrative developments.

Conclusion

The Cockroach Janta Party has criticised the Delhi Police’s decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, with co-convener Saurav Das calling the move “unacceptable” and questioning whether public stakeholders were consulted.

Delhi Police has designated Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative venues under an order dated October 11, 2026. CJP has responded by seeking permission to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar and asking the police to provide a response within 24 hours.

The issue has brought renewed attention to the balance between public order, security arrangements and the right to peaceful assembly. The authorities’ response to CJP’s request and the implementation of the alternative protest arrangements will shape the next stage of the dispute.