Story perspectives

Delhi Police Moves Jantar Mantar Protest to New Grounds

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 12:05 PM UTC · How we work

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Over 7,000 Detained

Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar protest site and designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as new venues on 11 Oct 2026.
More than 7,000 people were detained during the October 10 crackdown on protests demanding Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The change follows a Ministry of Home Affairs committee recommendation and will include protest SOPs.
That standing order partially modifies the earlier L&O/48/22 order dated 28 April 2022.

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Court Demands Alternate Site

On 11 Oct 2026 Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as new venues.
The Supreme Court urged the government to identify an alternative site with adequate amenities for peaceful protests.
Police detained hundreds and tightened security, raising concerns about limits on peaceful assembly.
The Ministry of Home Affairs created a committee to review alternative venues for protest rights.

History

Historical Context

In June 1975 President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s advice, invoked Article 352 to impose a national emergency, suspending civil liberties and imprisoning more than 100,000 opponents. The emergency’s use of preventive detention and the Supreme Court’s exclusion from hearings created a legal template that authorities cited in October 2026 when Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar, detained over 7,000 protesters, and the Court ordered alternative assembly sites.

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Over 7,000 Detained

Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar protest site and designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as new venues on 11 Oct 2026.
More than 7,000 people were detained during the October 10 crackdown on protests demanding Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The change follows a Ministry of Home Affairs committee recommendation and will include protest SOPs.
That standing order partially modifies the earlier L&O/48/22 order dated 28 April 2022.

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