Delhi Police Denotifies Jantar Mantar as Protest Site as INDIA Bloc Marches

UPDATE - follow-up to Anti-CEC row LIVE: Rahul Gandhi says Modi protecting Gyanesh Kumar; questions government over stopping people from reaching protest site: Delhi Police have officially denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and named Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the three new locations for demonstrations under a standing order issued on October 11 by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.

INDIA Bloc Protests

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc started its march from the Barakhamba intersection at Connaught Place toward the Supreme Court, while entry and exit at six metro stations remained closed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, October 12, as announced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. In Mumbai, the Mumbai Police detained several people gathered near Shivaji Park in Dadar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a request by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi for a meeting on Monday, with sources stating the issues were already sub judice in the Supreme Court and that the court cannot intervene in administrative governance matters.

Political Reactions

Rahul Gandhi stated during a press briefing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is protecting Gyanesh Kumar. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dismissed the Supreme Court march as drama, alleging the Congress is trying to create anarchy by spreading falsehoods to gain power. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh attacked PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Jantar Mantar denotification, calling it a sign of extreme panic and coining the term demokursi. Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convener Saurav Das also slammed the denotification, warning that the entire nation will now turn into Jantar Mantar. Additionally, the CPI(M) vowed to intensify its struggle against the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll, demanding the CEC's resignation, the withdrawal of the exercise, and a repeal of the law governing election commissioner appointments.

Context

Jantar Mantar has long served as a central, historic hub for public demonstrations and political gatherings in the national capital. Changes to designated protest locations and security restrictions around key government and judicial institutions often spark sharp political debate over the fundamental right to peaceful assembly.