New Delhi, October 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Home Ministry has officially barred protests at Jantar Mantar, a historic site for democratic demonstrations in New Delhi. Abhijit Dipke, national convenor of the Cockroach People’s Party, has criticized the government, stating it is troubled by the idea of public dissent.
In a post on the social media platform X, Dipke expressed his frustration: “Today, PM Modi has removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Tomorrow, they may eliminate democracy itself. A dictator is never bothered by a protest site; their concern lies with the people’s right to protest.”
The Delhi Police issued new guidelines based on recommendations from a committee formed by the Home Ministry. This decision has replaced Jantar Mantar with three new protest locations: Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan, and CB Maidan in East Delhi.
According to the Delhi Police, the Home Ministry established the committee to explore suitable locations for citizens to exercise their right to protest. Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for demonstrations at these new sites will be released separately. This move partially amends the previous standing order from April 28, 2022.
Jantar Mantar has long been a focal point for democratic protests, with various issues sparking continuous demonstrations. Recently, the Cockroach People’s Party attempted a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. During that event, police took strict measures, detaining party leaders Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka before they could reach the site.
The situation during that protest led to the closure of around 45 metro stations and the cancellation of several trains, causing significant inconvenience for the public.
The government claims that frequent protests at Jantar Mantar disrupt traffic and daily life in central Delhi. Consequently, the protest sites have been relocated to the outskirts of the city. However, opposition parties and social organizations view this as an attempt to stifle dissenting voices.
Leave a Comment