New Delhi, 15 October (H.S.): The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Central Government while hearing a petition challenging the Delhi Police’s decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites in the national capital. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered the issuance of the notice.

The petition also raises objections to the designation of three alternative locations for demonstrations, including Ramlila Maidan. On October 11, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued an order designating three new protest venues in place of Jantar Mantar: Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and the CBD Ground in East Delhi. The police decision has subsequently been challenged before the Supreme Court.

Jantar Mantar has long served as one of Delhi’s principal venues for protests and sit-in demonstrations. Political parties, social organisations and various other groups have gathered there to press their demands. The decision to remove the site from the list of designated protest venues has therefore raised legal questions concerning the regulation of public demonstrations.

Through the petition filed before the Supreme Court, the petitioner has sought judicial scrutiny of the legality of the Delhi Police order and the objections raised against the newly designated protest locations. However, the court’s further course of action and any possible directions in the matter remain to be seen.

On Monday, Saurav Das, co-convenor of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), said the government’s decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a protest venue was unacceptable and described it as arbitrary. He asserted that Jantar Mantar belonged to the people of India and questioned whether the Ministry of Home Affairs had consulted the public, relevant stakeholders or any organisations before taking the decision.

Under the Delhi Police order, Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and the CBD Ground in East Delhi have been designated as alternative venues for protests and demonstrations. The move came amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital following a call for people to assemble at Jantar Mantar to stage a protest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar