Jantar Mantar dropped from protest sites in Delhi; three new grounds designated

The Centre has taken a major decision on protest sites in Delhi. According to a notification issued by the Home Department, Jantar Mantar has been removed from the list of places designated for protests. Sit-ins and demonstrations can no longer be held there.

In place of Jantar Mantar, the government has permitted protests at three new locations in Delhi: Ramlila Maidan, Burari ground and CBD Ground (Shahdara).

The decision comes at a time when the capital has been tense for the past week. First came the protest by the Cockroach Janta Party, and since then the protests by the INDIA bloc and several student organisations have kept Delhi on edge. Jantar Mantar has been known for protests for many years. The CJP protest held there was seen by the whole world. Later, the Congress and the INDIA bloc also sought permission to protest at the same ground, but even then there were serious clashes between Delhi Police and the Congress.

Jantar Mantar was made a protest site because it is close to Parliament and people's voices could reach the government quickly. The new sites are far from Parliament. Jantar Mantar has been a witness to people's voices continuously since 1993. Whenever people have wanted to express displeasure with the government, put their case or make an appeal, they have used Jantar Mantar to exercise their right to protest. There is a direct route from Jantar Mantar to Parliament House, and protesters could reach Parliament on foot in about half an hour to present their case to the government. The government has now decided not to let this place remain a protest site.

Now consider the distances of the new sites. CBD Ground is in Delhi's Shahdara area, about 15 km from Parliament House. It takes 47 minutes to reach Parliament by car, while going on foot would take more than three hours.

Ramlila Maidan has also been designated as a protest site. It is roughly 6.1 km from Parliament. Reaching Parliament from here by car can take 23 to 30 minutes, and about an hour on foot.

Burari ground is about 23 km from Parliament House. The journey takes roughly an hour by car, but those going on foot could need up to three and a half hours. If the police divert traffic on Delhi's roads for security reasons, the time will increase further.