Is Jantar Mantar Losing Its Historic Role as Delhi's Protest Hub?
A Shift in Delhi's Protest Landscape
New Delhi has long been a focal point for citizens across India to express their dissent, with Jantar Mantar emerging as a prominent site for protests that have influenced governance and policy decisions. However, recent developments indicate a significant change in this tradition.
On October 11, the Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar announced that Jantar Mantar Road would no longer serve as a designated protest area. Instead, Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground have been designated as new venues for demonstrations.
Historically, the evolution of protest locations in Delhi has been marked by various shifts. In the years following Independence, the Boat Club lawns near India Gate and Vijay Chowk were popular spots for large gatherings. Protesters often camped behind the Red Fort, waiting for the government to respond to their demands.
Historian Sohail Hashmi notes that the tradition of public protests in Delhi has deep roots, with significant gatherings once taking place between the Boat Club and India Gate. A notable event occurred in October 1988 when farmer leader Mahendra Singh Tikait led thousands of farmers to the Boat Club, pressuring the Rajiv Gandhi government to address their issues.
This massive gathering raised questions about the appropriateness of protest locations, leading authorities to reconsider the use of the Boat Club due to security and public order concerns. Consequently, by 1993, Jantar Mantar emerged as an alternative site for protests.
Jantar Mantar's proximity to the government made it an attractive option for demonstrators, while being more manageable than the expansive Boat Club lawns. The Supreme Court, in a July 2018 ruling, acknowledged the shifting nature of protest locations in Delhi, noting the transition from Ramlila Maidan to the Boat Club and finally to Jantar Mantar.
The court highlighted that police had moved protests from the Boat Club due to traffic disruptions, designating Jantar Mantar for gatherings of up to 5,000 people, while larger protests were to be held at Ramlila Maidan.
Over time, Jantar Mantar became a central hub for various groups, including political parties, student organizations, trade unions, and activists, addressing issues from corruption to women's safety and farmers' rights.
However, the site’s history extends beyond its modern political significance. Established in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as an astronomical observatory, Jantar Mantar was originally designed to measure celestial movements.
As time passed, the area transformed into a gathering place for citizens to voice their concerns to those in power. Yet, the increasing number of protests led to complaints from local residents regarding noise, litter, and the presence of protesters for extended periods.
In 2017, the National Green Tribunal mandated a ban on protests at Jantar Mantar, directing authorities to relocate demonstrators to Ramlila Maidan. This decision was contested in the Supreme Court, which overturned the blanket ban in July 2018, advocating for guidelines to balance the right to protest with residents' rights to peace.
Following the court's ruling, the Delhi Police established guidelines for protests at Jantar Mantar, imposing restrictions on participant numbers while allowing larger gatherings at Ramlila Maidan.
The recent order to de-notify Jantar Mantar was based on recommendations from a committee formed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which sought alternative protest venues. As a result, Jantar Mantar has been removed from the list of designated protest sites, marking another chapter in Delhi's evolving landscape of dissent.