Jantar Mantar de-notified as protest site; Ramlila, Burari, CBD Grounds replace it
Synopsis
Delhi Police has de-notified Jantar Mantar as the capital's designated protest site, replacing it with Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and East Delhi's CBD Ground — on the same day the Congress-led INDIA bloc planned a major march against the Election Commission. The timing has drawn sharp scrutiny, raising questions about whether an administrative reshuffle is being used to manage political dissent.
Key Takeaways
Jantar Mantar has been formally de-notified as New Delhi's designated protest site by Delhi Police on 12 October 2026 .
Three replacement venues — Ramlila Ground , Burari Ground , and CBD Ground (East Delhi) — have been designated under Standing Order No.
The decision was based on recommendations of a Ministry of Home Affairs committee.
A revised SOP for the three new venues is yet to be issued separately.
The announcement coincides with the Congress -led INDIA bloc's planned march to protest against the Election Commission of India and demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Delhi Traffic Police warned of disruptions at around 30 locations across New Delhi and central Delhi on Monday.
Jantar Mantar has been formally de-notified as New Delhi's designated protest site, Delhi Police announced on Monday, 12 October 2026, replacing it with three new venues under revised guidelines issued through Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026. The decision, taken on the recommendations of a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) committee, marks the end of Jantar Mantar's decades-long role as the capital's primary agitation ground.
Three New Protest Venues
The MHA-constituted committee examined alternative locations for citizens to exercise their right to protest and demonstrate. Based on its recommendations, Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi have been formally designated as the replacement venues. Delhi Police confirmed that a detailed, revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organising protests at these three sites will be issued separately. The notification is described as 'a partial modification' of the earlier Standing Order No. L&O/48/22 dated 28 April 2022.
The Political Context
The announcement arrives at a politically charged moment. The Congress-led INDIA bloc had planned a march towards the Supreme Court on Monday to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Barricades were deployed around Jantar Mantar as early as Sunday, with police personnel stationed at key intersections to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised gatherings. Critics have argued that the timing of the de-notification — coinciding with a major Opposition demonstration — raises questions about the motive behind the administrative move.
Traffic Disruptions Across Delhi
Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory warning commuters of possible disruptions across New Delhi and central Delhi, with restrictions or diversions likely at around 30 locations. Major roads and intersections flagged as potentially affected include Dhaula Kuan flyover, Jhandewalan, Patel Chowk, Panchkuian, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Lodhi Road flyover, Bhikaji Cama Place, and Moti Bagh flyover. Stretches such as Jantar Mantar Road, Ashoka Road, Sansad Marg, and Tolstoy Marg are also on the advisory list.
Historical Significance of Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar has served as the nerve centre of Indian civil society agitation for years — from Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement to farmer protests and civil rights demonstrations. Its de-notification effectively displaces organised dissent further from the corridors of power in Lutyens' Delhi, a shift that civil liberties groups are likely to scrutinise closely. Notably, this is the first formal rationalisation of Delhi's designated protest geography since the 2022 Standing Order.
What Happens Next
A revised SOP governing the three new venues is yet to be released. Until then, the practical logistics of holding large-scale demonstrations — including permissions, crowd management, and access — remain unclear. The government's next steps on the SOP, and the Opposition's response to the de-notification, are expected to shape the political narrative in the coming days.
Point of View
Resource-limited movements. The MHA committee's recommendations have not been made public, which makes independent scrutiny impossible. Until the revised SOP is released, the de-notification creates a legal grey zone that police could exploit to deny permissions — and that is precisely what civil liberties lawyers will be watching for.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Jantar Mantar been de-notified as a protest site?
Jantar Mantar has been de-notified on the recommendations of a Ministry of Home Affairs committee that examined alternative venues for citizens' right to protest. Delhi Police announced the decision on 12 October 2026 through Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026, describing it as a partial modification of the 2022 order.
What are the new designated protest venues in Delhi?
The three newly designated protest venues in Delhi are Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi. A detailed revised SOP governing demonstrations at these sites is yet to be issued separately by Delhi Police.
Why is the timing of the de-notification significant?
The announcement came on the same day the Congress-led INDIA bloc planned a march towards the Supreme Court to protest against the Election Commission and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged SIR exercise irregularities. Critics argue the timing raises questions about whether the administrative move was designed to disrupt the planned demonstration.
What traffic disruptions are expected in Delhi today?
Delhi Traffic Police has warned of disruptions at around 30 locations across New Delhi and central Delhi. Roads likely to be affected include Dhaula Kuan flyover, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Sansad Marg, Jantar Mantar Road, and Lodhi Road flyover, among others.
When will the new protest site rules come into effect?
The de-notification of Jantar Mantar is immediate, but a detailed SOP for the three replacement venues — Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground — is yet to be issued. Until the revised SOP is released, the practical framework for obtaining permissions and organising protests at the new sites remains unclear.
