Jantar Mantar no longer a protest site: Where Delhi protests will now be held

Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a designated protest site in Delhi.

Protests are now to be held at Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground or CBD Ground in East Delhi.

The change was announced by Delhi Police on October 12.

A detailed procedure for the three venues will be issued separately.

The Delhi High Court is reported to hear a challenge on Tuesday.

It says a committee set up by the Home Ministry to look for alternative protest venues made recommendations, and that Jantar Mantar was de-notified on that basis.

The Tribune dates the order October 11, while The Hans India says a police circular announcing the decision was issued on Monday, October 12, so the public announcement may have come a day after the order.

A detailed standard operating procedure for the three new venues will be issued separately, according to the reports.

The move follows a Supreme Court suggestion on October 9 that the government consider whether another location should be designated for peaceful protests in place of Jantar Mantar, citing amenities, according to the reports.

The decision comes amid protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.

On Sunday, October 11, more than 100 people were detained while marching towards Jantar Mantar, according to PTI reports quoted by ETV Bharat.

The detained included students and supporters of the CJP protest, according to the same live blog.

At a special Sunday sitting, the Supreme Court ordered that people who gather peacefully, outside areas under prohibitory orders, should not be detained arbitrarily.

The court also said metro, rail and internet services should run normally, according to the ETV Bharat live blog.

On Monday, the Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at six central stations from 6 am to 4 pm for security reasons.

Jantar Mantar, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0