Delhi Police Remove Jantar Mantar as Protest Site Amid INDIA Bloc March to Supreme Court
Authorities de-notified Jantar Mantar and designated three alternative venues as opposition parties marched toward the Supreme Court demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
New Delhi1 min read
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Delhi Police issued a circular on Monday removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues. The force named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternatives. The change coincided with an INDIA bloc march toward the Supreme Court over allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi led the procession. Congress described the event as a March for Democracy and said large numbers participated. The Supreme Court has stressed that any detentions must follow due process. Earlier protests saw roughly 700 people detained across the capital on Sunday under a deployment of about 40,000 security personnel.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a request from opposition leaders for a meeting, citing sub-judice proceedings and the separation of powers. The court permitted a Congress delegation to file a petition on the premises. Rahul Gandhi and others have accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the voter roll revision. The BJP has rejected the claims as baseless.
Jantar Mantar has long served as a central location for demonstrations because of its proximity to Parliament. Activists criticized the de-notification, arguing that the new sites reduce visibility. Police have not yet issued full standard operating procedures for the replacement venues.
The Election Commission extended the deadline for claims and objections in Maharashtra's Special Intensive Revision to October 26, with disposal continuing until November 10. Similar revisions are underway in other states. Opposition parties contend the process has disenfranchised voters; the commission maintains it is correcting the rolls.
The combination of the venue change and the march places the dispute over electoral administration directly before the judiciary while street protests continue under new spatial constraints. The Supreme Court's handling of the petition and any further police actions at the alternative sites will determine how the confrontation proceeds in the days ahead.
