The administrative de-notification of New Delhi’s historic Jantar Mantar as an authorized protest venue has sparked a sharp political storm, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) mounting a scathing offensive against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government. Slamming the move as a blatant attempt to silence public dissent and push democratic agitation away from the national capital’s power corridors, the outfit questioned why the ruling dispensation was “scared” of peaceful citizens assembling in the heart of Delhi.

CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Hits Out: ‘Now the whole country will become Jantar Mantar’

Reacting strongly to the order issued by the Delhi Police on Monday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused the Centre of resorting to authoritarian tactics out of fear of mass resistance. “Why is Modi scared of Jantar Mantar?” Dipke asked, asserting that stripping the historical site of its protest designation would not snuff out public anger. Declaring that the administration’s actions will backfire, the CJP leader warned that if citizens are barred from assembling at their traditional democratic square, “Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar banega” (Now the entire country will become Jantar Mantar). The party has also issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Delhi Police demanding a designated date and permissions for demonstrations.

Delhi Police Order: Jantar Mantar Denotified After MHA Review

The controversy erupted after Delhi Police issued an official notification amending Standing Order No. L&O/48/22. Based on recommendations submitted by a special committee set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the authorities removed Jantar Mantar from the list of legal dharna locations. In its place, law enforcement authorities designated three alternative peripheral grounds for future public gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations:

• Ramlila Maidan (Central-North Delhi)

• Burari Ground (North Delhi)

• CBD Ground, Geeta Colony (East Delhi)

Police officials stated that a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing permissions, attendee limits, and transit arrangements at these three new venues will be notified shortly.

Crackdown Amid High-Stakes Opposition Agitations

The decision to remove Jantar Mantar coincided with massive security bandobast across the Lutyens’ zone, where Delhi Police set up multi-tier barricades, detained multiple demonstrators, and temporarily restricted central metro station access. The move follows escalating friction involving INDIA bloc leaders, civil rights organizations, and youth bodies carrying out demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter exercise.

Battle Over Democratic Spaces in the Capital

Civil society groups and opposition activists have condemned the relocation, drawing parallels to the 1988 ban that shut down demonstrations at the historic Boat Club lawns near Rajpath. They argue that pushing protesters to far-flung locations like Burari removes the visibility of genuine public grievances from lawmakers and ministries. While authorities maintain that the decision was necessary to prevent arterial gridlocks and safeguard diplomatic security near Connaught Place and Parliament, political outfits have pledged to challenge the curbs both legally and on the streets.