Jantar Mantar Denotified: Protesters to Move 20km Away, Check New Designated Protest Sites in Delhi

In a major administrative shift for the national capital, Jantar Mantar has been officially denotified by Delhi Police as a designated site for protests and demonstrations. For decades, Jantar Mantar served as the epicentre of political activism, social agitation, and public grievances. With this site no longer available, the fundamental question arises: where will people voice their protests?

To address this, Delhi Police has introduced three alternative venues: Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground. These designated locations will now host public gatherings and demonstrations.

Distance of New Protest Sites from Central Delhi

Jantar Mantar was centrally located in Lutyens' Delhi, within close proximity to Parliament, the Prime Minister's residence, and major ministries. The newly designated sites, however, are located at varying distances:

• Ramlila Maidan: The closest alternative, located approximately 3 to 3.2 kilometres away from Jantar Mantar.
• CBD Ground: Situated in Shahdara, this ground is roughly 11 to 12 kilometres away.
• Burari Ground: Located near Model Town, this is the farthest site, roughly 20 kilometres away from central Delhi.

These locations have been chosen to curb major traffic disruptions and administrative chaos in the core areas of New Delhi.

A Legacy of Historic Movements

These alternate venues are not new to activism. Ramlila Maidan has witnessed numerous historic protests, ranging from Syama Prasad Mookerjee's Satyagraha in 1952 to Jayaprakash Narayan's movement during the Emergency, Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal movement in 2011, and the recent farmers' protests.

Similarly, Burari Ground served as a major site during the 2020-21 farmers' agitation. The police have categorized these venues based on the expected turnout capacity.

Capacity and Permission Rules

The allocation of sites depends heavily on the expected number of protesters. While Jantar Mantar had a capped capacity of around 1,000 people, gatherings ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 protesters are now directed to Ramlila Maidan. For gatherings exceeding 50,000 people, Burari Ground remains the designated choice.

Authorities have emphasized that prior police permission will still be mandatory before organizing any demonstrations at these new venues.