New Delhi, 13 October (H.S.): Protests continued in the national capital on Tuesday, within 24 hours of Jantar Mantar, Delhi’s historic protest venue, being removed from the official list of designated demonstration sites. Defying heavy security and barricades, activists of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) entered the Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place areas.

The demonstrations witnessed heated exchanges and scuffles between protesters and security personnel. Police detained several CJP spokespersons and activists, along with NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar and several student protesters. Meanwhile, the legal battle over the decision to withdraw Jantar Mantar’s designated protest-site status has intensified, with the matter also reaching the Delhi High Court.

CJP Activists Enter Jantar Mantar, Raise Slogans

Led by CJP national spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, party activists breached security arrangements on Tuesday morning and entered the Jantar Mantar premises by climbing over the main iron gate and barricades. Inside the complex, the activists waved the Tricolour and raised slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Inquilab Zindabad”.

CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke shared a video on social media, claiming that party activists had once again established their presence at Jantar Mantar.

Notably, a court of the Special Executive Magistrate had recently granted bail to the leaders on the condition that they furnish bonds of Rs 50,000 and maintain peace and good behaviour for one year. Despite this condition, the activists proceeded with their demonstration. Police acted promptly, detaining Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and other party workers before taking them to a police station.

NSUI Holds Flash Protest Near Rajiv Chowk and Connaught Place

Meanwhile, the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a sudden flash protest near Rajiv Chowk and Connaught Place. Led by national president Vinod Jakhar, the activists raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging “vote theft” in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and calling for Jantar Mantar to be reinstated as a designated protest venue.

Police detained several protesters during the demonstration. The NSUI subsequently accused Delhi Police of assaulting and using excessive force against students and women activists who, according to the organisation, were participating in a peaceful protest.

The student body asserted that attempts to suppress democratic voices would not succeed and vowed to continue its agitation.

Jantar Mantar Removed from List of Designated Protest Sites

On October 12, Delhi Police issued a notification removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues, following a recommendation by a high-level committee under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Under the revised arrangement, three alternative venues have been designated for demonstrations and sit-ins in Delhi: Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground in East Delhi.

Located in a high-security zone, Jantar Mantar has served for decades as one of the country’s prominent centres for political and social movements. The administrative decision came amid sustained protests by opposition parties and student organisations against the Election Commission.

Legal Battle Over Restrictions Reaches Delhi High Court

The restrictions on protests at Jantar Mantar and the revised guidelines have also triggered a legal dispute in the Delhi High Court.

Local traders have cited the Supreme Court’s judgment in Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police, arguing that regular demonstrations cause business losses in the surrounding area. At the same time, NSUI president Vinod Jakhar has filed a petition challenging the restrictions imposed on the historic protest venue.

The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the petitions concerning the change in Jantar Mantar’s status and the revised arrangements for demonstrations in the national capital.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar