New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has criticised the Centre after the Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites in the national capital.
The group called the decision “unacceptable” and accused the government of attacking citizens’ right to peaceful protest.
Delhi Police names three new protest venues
The MHA also asked states and union territories to coordinate with the Delhi Police to prevent supporters from travelling to the capital for the planned gathering. The protests were followed by heavy security deployment, detentions and restrictions affecting movement in parts of the national capital. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a notice on October 11 de-notifying Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue and naming three alternative locations – Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi. The order partially modifies an earlier standing order dated April 28, 2022. The Delhi Police had refused permission for the CJP’s proposed October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing law-and-order issues and compliance with Supreme Court directions on assemblies in the area. In its 2018 ruling on protests at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club, the court had asked authorities to establish rules that balance citizens’ right to assemble with the interests of residents and commuters.
The Delhi Police said detailed and revised standard operating procedures for organising demonstrations at the three locations would separately be issued.
The Supreme Court has previously held that authorities can regulate public assemblies, but restrictions cannot become an arbitrary ban on peaceful demonstrations.
