- Jantar Mantar de-notified as designated protest site.
- Ramlila, Burari, CBD Grounds are new protest venues.
- Decision based on MHA committee recommendations for sites.
New Protest Sites: The Delhi Police on Monday de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, shifting all public demonstrations and rallies to three new alternative venues across the capital. This major development follows a fresh standing order issued under revised guidelines, which were established after a high-level committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reviewed the city's civic and security framework.
What's Behind The Move?
The decision comes after the MHA formed a committee to examine alternative venues for public protests. The committee was tasked with identifying suitable locations where citizens could exercise their right to organise protests and demonstrations. Based on the committee’s recommendations, Jantar Mantar has been removed from the list of designated protest venues. The three new locations identified by the Delhi Police are Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
The Delhi Police has stated that a detailed and revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organising protests and demonstrations at these three venues will be issued separately.
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had constituted a Committee to examine alternative proper venues for citizen's right for organizing protest/demonstrations in place of the existing "designated site". Based on the Committee's recommendations, Jantar Mantar as a protest venue has been de-notified. Three new venues viz Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground, East Delhi have been designated as new venues for organizing protest/demonstrations. Detailed and revised SOP for organizing protest/demonstrations at these three venues will be issued separately. This is in partial modification of earlier Standing Order No. L&O/48/22 dated 28.04.2022. (Notice issued by Anurag Kumar, Delhi Police Commissioner)
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
About Three New Protest Sites
1. Ramlila Maidan
Located in central Delhi near Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate and Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Ramlila Maidan has long been a venue for large public gatherings and political rallies. It has witnessed several major events in India’s political history, including Jayaprakash Narayan’s rally in 1975 and Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement in 2011.
Apart from this, religious celebrations and public meetings are held here. The ground reportedly covers an area of 10 acres and can host between 25,000 to 1,00,000 people.Out of the three newly announced sites, Ramlila Maidan is the closest to Jantar Mantar, located just 3 kilometers away.
Also known as Burari Maidan or the Nirankari Samagam Ground, Burari Ground is a large open field in North Delhi. It is spread over around 23 hectares and can accommodate between 3,00,000 and 4,00,000 people during a public meeting or any organised setup. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) owns this ground. It has long been used for large gatherings, religious events, rallies and other public activities.
Its size makes it a suitable venue for demonstrations with large numbers of participants. It is located approximately 20 to 21 kilometers away from the Jantar Mantar.
3. CBD Ground, East Delhi
CBD Ground is located in the Karkardooma area of Shahdara, East Delhi, near Unity One Mall. It is an open-air event space that has been used for weddings and other social functions. Depending on the arrangement, the ground can accommodate gatherings of different sizes. It is located approximately 12 kilometers away from Jantar Mantar. After its announcement as a new protest site, it is expected to become major venue outside the central areas of the capital.