Delhi Police have de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as replacements, according to reports on October 12.
The venue change matters beyond geography. Jantar Mantar sits in the centre of the capital, while the new grounds are in East Delhi, and the choice of location shapes how visible a protest is.
The authorities point to a Home Ministry committee and to the Supreme Court’s October 9 suggestion that another site be considered, citing amenities. Critics may read the timing, during protests over electoral roll revision, differently.
The rules for the new venues are not yet public, as a detailed procedure is to be issued separately, and a Delhi High Court hearing on a challenge is reported for Tuesday.
The move follows a Supreme Court suggestion on October 9 that the government consider whether another location should be designated for peaceful protests in place of Jantar Mantar, citing amenities, according to the reports.
The decision comes amid protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
On Sunday, October 11, more than 100 people were detained while marching towards Jantar Mantar, according to PTI reports quoted by ETV Bharat.
The detained included students and supporters of the CJP protest, according to the same live blog.
At a special Sunday sitting, the Supreme Court ordered that people who gather peacefully, outside areas under prohibitory orders, should not be detained arbitrarily.
The court also said metro, rail and internet services should run normally, according to the ETV Bharat live blog.
On Monday, the Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at six central stations from 6 am to 4 pm for security reasons.
The six stations are Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road, according to Business Standard and Whalesbook.
Jantar Mantar, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0