New Delhi: A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the October 11 Standing Order that removes Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites and identifies three alternative venues for holding demonstrations.
The petitioner has argued that relocating protests to distant and peripheral areas could undermine citizens’ ability to exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression, as well as peaceful assembly, guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution.
Petition Cites Supreme Court’s 2018 Judgment
The plea relies on the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment in Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India, which dealt with the regulation of protests and the balance between citizens’ fundamental rights and the maintenance of public order. Challenging the latest order, the petitioner has described the decision as arbitrary and procedurally deficient. The plea also points out that revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing demonstrations at the three newly designated venues have yet to be issued.
Jantar Mantar Removed as a Designated Protest Site
On October 12, the Delhi Police announced a major change in protest arrangements in the national capital, stating that demonstrations would no longer be permitted at Jantar Mantar under the revised order. The decision was attributed to security concerns and taken by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Under the revised arrangements, the Delhi Police has identified three alternative locations for protests and demonstrations: Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground.
The move marks a significant change in Delhi’s designated protest venues, shifting demonstrations away from Jantar Mantar to the three alternative locations. The petition challenges this change on constitutional and procedural grounds, arguing that the relocation could affect the effective exercise of citizens’ fundamental rights.
