Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations in Delhi, with the Delhi Police naming three alternative locations for organising such gatherings, according to an official notice.
The newly designated venues are Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had formed a committee to examine alternative locations where citizens could exercise their right to protest and hold demonstrations.
Following the committee's recommendations, Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest venues, the notice stated. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar said a detailed and revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organising protests at the three new locations would be issued separately.
The notice partially modifies an earlier Standing Order dated April 28, 2022. The revised SOP is expected to outline the procedures for holding protests and demonstrations at the newly designated venues.
The development comes amid an ongoing protest by opposition INDIA bloc leaders against the Election Commission over alleged electoral manipulation and concerns about democratic institutions. The opposition delegation began its march from Connaught Place towards the Supreme Court, where it plans to submit a petition seeking action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal described the agitation as the "biggest andolan" against the poll panel and accused the Prime Minister and Home Minister of using the CEC to undermine democracy.
"This is the biggest andolan against the Election Commissioner and the election system. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are using the Chief Election Commissioner as their tool to destroy the democracy of this country, to hijack the democracy of the country," Venugopal said.
Stating that the opposition would pursue the matter through both protests and legal action, Venugopal said, "Therefore, for the last one week, we are on the streets. Today also we are going to be on the streets, and we are going to file a petition in the Supreme Court also."
On being asked about an appointment with the Chief Justice of India, Venugopal said, "I don't want to comment on all that now. But anyway, we are going to fight legally also. We are going to the Supreme Court and file a petition there. The Supreme Court, Chief Justice informed us that between 10:00 to 4:00, they are ready to receive our petition; the registry is ready."
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury also criticised the police action during the protest, alleging that the government was violating constitutional principles and disregarding Supreme Court rulings.
"This is a show of giving them assurance that we are going to fight for them, that we represent them and their voice should be heard here. This brute force here and declaring us unlawful is a clear show of violation of anything that is constitutional and disrespect to the Supreme Court which this government is showing," Chowdhury said.
She further alleged, "Despite the Supreme Court's rulings, they have violated and they have named us. You ask about SIR and they filed an FIR. One Gyanesh is more than 'Bharat desh'?"
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the opposition's protest was aimed at seeking justice. "We are demanding justice, nothing else. This is for people, for humankind, for justice...We want justice and nothing else," she said.
Meanwhile, security arrangements were tightened across central Delhi, with barricades placed at several locations and security personnel deployed near Barakhamba Road and Mandi House. Personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Delhi Police were also stationed in the area.
As part of the security measures on October 12, 2026, entry and exit at six metro stations were scheduled to remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm. The affected stations were Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road.