Delhi Police Pull Jantar Mantar from Protest List, Adds Three New Sites

On October 11, 2026 the Delhi Police issued a fresh standing order that quietly, but decisively, stripped Jantar Mantar of its long‑standing status as a "designated protest site". The notice, signed by Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, listed three new venues where citizens can seek permission to hold rallies, marches or other public gatherings.

The three locations are Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and the CBD Ground in East Delhi. Each of them is already a fairly well‑known open space, but until now they were not officially earmarked for large‑scale demonstrations. The order promises separate, detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each venue – though those guidelines have yet to be published.

Why the sudden change? The Ministry of Home Affairs had set up a committee to hunt for alternative sites that could accommodate crowds without choking the city’s historic core. After reviewing the committee’s recommendations, the police decided to de‑notify Jantar Mantar, a place that over the years has hosted everything from farmer protests to high‑profile political rallies.

For many activists, the move feels symbolic. Jantar Mantar has become, in the public imagination, a kind of megaphone for dissent. When that megaphone is taken away, the message that follows is often one of frustration. Abhijeet Dipke, a well‑known activist, took to X and called the decision “a war‑zone created by a coward dictator,” adding a bitter, almost resigned note that “the whole country will become Jantar Mantar.”

While the emotional response is understandable, the legal framework remains clear: until the new SOPs are released, any group wishing to protest must still obtain the requisite police permission and adhere to the directions issued on the day of the event. In practice, that could mean longer lead‑times for filing applications and a more bureaucratic process overall.

Jantar Mantar’s removal does not erase the right to protest – it merely relocates it. The three new grounds are spread across different parts of East Delhi, which could disperse crowds more evenly and reduce traffic snarls that often plague central Delhi during large rallies.

Critics argue that the decision might be an attempt to dilute the visibility of dissent, moving protests away from the symbolic heart of the capital. Supporters, however, claim that the shift will allow the city to manage demonstrations more effectively, with clearer crowd‑control measures and less disruption to daily commuters.

Only time will tell how activists adapt. For now, the standing order stands as a concrete reminder that the landscape of public protest in Delhi is evolving, and that the city’s authorities are intent on reshaping how—and where—citizens can make their voices heard.