Delhi Drops Jantar Mantar as Protest Site, Names Three Alternative Venues
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have identified three alternative venues for protests and public demonstrations, effectively removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites, according to an order dated October 11, 2026.
The three alternative venues are Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground in east Delhi. The decision was taken by the Union home ministry on grounds of public order, traffic management and security.
The new locations were selected based on recommendations from a committee constituted by the ministry to identify suitable venues for public demonstrations while minimising inconvenience to commuters and residents.
However, the identification of alternative sites does not automatically permit protests. Organisers will continue to be required to obtain police permission and comply with applicable regulations. Prior approval was also mandatory for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
Traffic, security concerns prompt review
The move follows concerns over traffic congestion caused by frequent demonstrations in central Delhi, difficulties faced by people travelling to hospitals and security challenges around Parliament.
The home ministry had constituted a high-level committee to examine the issue and recommend alternative locations. Based on its recommendations, Jantar Mantar has been removed from the list of designated protest venues.
The new arrangement is intended to provide designated spaces for demonstrations while helping authorities manage traffic and maintain public order.
From Boat Club to Jantar Mantar
The decision marks a significant change in Delhi’s protest landscape. Until the early 1990s, the Boat Club area near India Gate was a prominent venue for demonstrations. Following a large farmers’ protest led by Mahendra Singh Tikait in 1993, restrictions were imposed on protests at the site, and Jantar Mantar became an alternative venue.
For nearly three decades, Jantar Mantar served as a prominent location for political demonstrations, public campaigns and protests by various organisations.
Its removal from the designated list now raises questions about where protesters will gather in central Delhi and how the new arrangements will affect public demonstrations.
Impact on protesters remains to be seen
Recent demonstrations around Jantar Mantar have brought traffic management and security arrangements into focus.
While the alternative venues could help reduce disruptions in central Delhi, the impact on protesters’ access to prominent public spaces remains to be seen. The effectiveness of the new arrangement will depend on how permissions are granted and how the designated venues accommodate demonstrations of different sizes.
