GUWAHATI: Jantar Mantar in New Delhi will no longer serve as a designated site for protests and sit-ins, with authorities finalising three alternative venues for demonstrations in the national capital.
ALSO READ: Assam BJP to Launch Statewide Rallies, Accuses Congress of Undermining Democracy
The new designated protest sites are Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi. The decision follows recommendations from a committee constituted under the Union Home Ministry.
The development comes amid protests by the Opposition INDIA bloc and the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in central Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) controversy.
The move is likely to draw criticism from Opposition parties, which may view the relocation of protests as an attempt to restrict demonstrations in central Delhi. The Delhi Police functions under the Union Home Ministry.
However, the decision could ease traffic congestion around Jantar Mantar, which is located near several key government buildings in the capital.
The order removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites was issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.
Delhi Police has stated that separate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for organising protests at the three newly designated venues will be issued later.
