New Delhi, October 12, 2026: Jantar Mantar, one of the capital’s most recognisable locations for public demonstrations, will no longer serve as Delhi’s officially designated protest site. Delhi Police has removed the central Delhi location from the designated list and identified three alternative grounds where protests and demonstrations can be organised under the applicable rules.
Under the revised arrangement, Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi have been designated for public protests. The decision represents a significant change in Delhi’s protest framework, as Jantar Mantar has for years been closely associated with demonstrations by political groups, students, workers, farmers and civil society organisations.
The change follows recommendations made by a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to examine suitable alternative locations where citizens could organise protests and demonstrations.
Delhi Police has implemented the change through Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026. The latest order partially modifies the earlier framework issued in April 2022 under which Jantar Mantar continued to function as a designated location for demonstrations.
The move does not mean that protests and demonstrations have been prohibited across Delhi. Instead, the authorities have changed the officially designated locations where such gatherings can be organised after following the required permission and public-order procedures.
Under the new arrangement, Ramlila Ground provides an option in central Delhi, while Burari Ground serves the northern part of the capital. CBD Ground has been identified as the designated location in East Delhi.
Authorities are also preparing a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing demonstrations at the three newly designated locations. The detailed conditions covering permissions, timings, crowd management, security and other arrangements are expected to be issued separately.
The change is particularly significant because Jantar Mantar's location close to Parliament Street and several important government establishments gave demonstrations held there high public and political visibility.
Over the years, the area became associated with a wide range of campaigns and public movements. Removing its status as a designated protest site therefore changes not only the location of future demonstrations but also the way large public gatherings will be managed in central Delhi.
The authorities have presented the new locations as alternatives intended to allow citizens to continue holding demonstrations while enabling police to manage security, traffic and crowd movement.
Organisers planning protests will now have to consider the newly designated venues and comply with the permission requirements and the revised operating guidelines once they are formally issued.
For the moment, Jantar Mantar stands de-notified as Delhi’s designated protest venue, while Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground will form the new framework for officially permitted demonstrations in the national capital.
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