India
oi-Swastika Sruti
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) opposed any move to take away Jantar Mantar as Delhi’s designated protest site.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) opposes relocating Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site following Delhi High Court concerns over central demonstrations, with CJP founder Abhijeet Das calling it a vital democratic space, while police review a related permit request.
This response came hours after the Delhi High Court observed that protests at such a centrally located venue could disrupt the city and suggested they should not ideally be held in the heart of the national capital.
CJP Says ‘Hands Off Our Jantar Mantar’
Reacting to the court’s observations, CJP founder Abhijeet Das posted a strong message on X, asserting that Jantar Mantar remains an important democratic space for citizens to raise their voices.
“HANDS OFF our Jantar Mantar! Before trying to take away our protest site, tell us if you will designate India Gate where we can exercise our fundamental right to peacefully protest. You took away the India Gate. We will not tolerate taking away OUR Jantar Mantar too!” he wrote.
The party argued that if Jantar Mantar is no longer available, citizens should be provided with another accessible location where they can peacefully exercise their constitutional right to protest.
Delhi HC Expresses Reservations
The controversy began during the hearing of a petition seeking permission to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar on August 10 over the demand for Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians.
During the hearing, Justice Amit Mahajan observed that protests at a central location like Jantar Mantar can unnecessarily inconvenience the public.
He remarked that such demonstrations “hold the entire city to ransom” and said that, in his personal opinion, protests should not take place inside the city.
Delhi Police Yet to Decide on Protest Request
The petition was filed by the All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee, which informed the court that it had sought police permission on July 9 to organise a three-hour peaceful protest without a march, hunger strike, tents or road blockades.
Delhi Police told the court it would take a decision on the request by Saturday.
The police also informed the court that the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a public interest litigation challenging the continued use of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue.
