Protesters in New Delhi on Saturday, 17 October 2026, organised a 'Reclaim Jantar Mantar' march, demanding that the landmark protest site be restored as an officially designated venue for public demonstrations. The march came days after the Union government de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site on 12 October, with the Delhi Police detaining several participants during the demonstration.

Background: Why Jantar Mantar Was De-notified

The de-notification of Jantar Mantar followed sustained sit-in protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, which began on 2 October. Demonstrators allege the government's decision was a direct response to the growing momentum of agitation against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls. The Centre, in place of Jantar Mantar, has designated three alternative venues — Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and Central Business District (CBD) Ground in East Delhi — for future protests.

What Protesters Said

Carrying banners and raising slogans, demonstrators made clear they would not accept the alternative venues. One protester said, 'Ever since the sit-in protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar started on October 2, the Union government has been continuously detaining people who step out onto the streets and try to reach Jantar Mantar. Attempts are being made to brutally detain them, and women are being mistreated. We are not going to tolerate this.'

The same protester added: 'In a democracy, there is freedom to raise one's voice, and if it is indeed a democracy, the government should not be afraid. Jantar Mantar should be handed back to the people so that democratic voices can be raised from there.'

Another marcher said, 'We are marching towards Jantar Mantar to reclaim it. The government's wilfulness will not work on us. This is not fair. Jantar Mantar should be the designated protesting site.' A third demonstrator alleged that the de-notification was a deliberate tactic: 'As soon as the protests against the CEC gained momentum, Jantar Mantar was de-notified as the designated protesting site.'

Detentions and Judicial Custody

Earlier this week, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde were detained on charges of trespassing at Jantar Mantar. Shinde was subsequently released on a bail bond, while Das and Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody and are currently lodged at Tihar Jail. Student activists were also among those detained in earlier attempts to access the site.

Security Situation at the Site

Heavy security arrangements remained in place around Jantar Mantar as of Saturday, with barricades blocking roads leading to the venue and police personnel deployed at key intersections to prevent unauthorised gatherings. Protesters, however, vowed to continue: 'Even if we are detained, or we face cane charge, we will not stop and continue with our protest,' one demonstrator said.

What Comes Next

The standoff over Jantar Mantar's status is set to intensify, with protesters refusing to shift their agitation to the government-designated alternatives. The broader dispute over the ECI's SIR process and the role of CEC Gyanesh Kumar remains unresolved, suggesting further confrontations between demonstrators and authorities in the days ahead.