Not Jantar Mantar But Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Grounds are New Protest Sites: Delhi Police Notifies

Authorities have de-notified Jantar Mantar as the capital's designated protest venue, shifting all future public demonstrations to three new grounds across Delhi following Union Home Ministry recommendations and strict judicial observations by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Issued through Delhi Police Standing Order, the administrative directive removes the 18th-century observatory site from the permitted list of demonstration hubs with immediate effect, replacing it with Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and the CBD Ground in East Delhi.

Home Ministry Panel Drives Venue Reallocation

The structural decision stems directly from an expert committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to evaluate alternative gathering spaces that safeguard constitutional rights without shutting down Lutyens' Delhi. Amending the earlier Standing Order, the Delhi Police issued the notification to shift all political rallies, sit-ins, and civil assemblies out of central Delhi's core administrative belt.

The MHA review gathered momentum following observations by CJI Surya Kant during recent Supreme Court hearings regarding ongoing public demonstrations. While emphasizing that the apex court and surrounding central corridors would not serve as sites for institutional disruption, CJI Surya Kant noted that citizens retain the right to assemble provided gatherings occur strictly at officially sanctioned locations equipped for security management.

Revised SOPs and Transit Closures Across Lutyens' Delhi

Delhi Police confirmed that revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing permission criteria, gathering limits, and perimeter control for Ramlila Maidan, Burari, and the CBD Ground in Anand Vihar will be notified separately.

The de-notification coincides with citywide security deployment as opposition leaders and political groups attempt to march toward central administrative zones. To manage movement around key ministries and the Supreme Court, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) suspended entry and exit operations across primary interchanges, including Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, and Barakhamba Road. Police officials stated that relocating public demonstrations outside central Delhi will reduce traffic bottlenecks, secure government establishments, and eliminate the need for emergency transit blockades across the city.