3 weeks ago
Delhi High Court questions keeping Jantar Mantar open for protests
In Delhi, India, there is a famous open space called Jantar Mantar where people gather to protest.
A judge named Justice Mahajan from the Delhi High Court was hearing a case about this place.
A group called AIDCRPC wanted to hold a small, peaceful protest there on August 10.
The group said only about 75 people would come, but the police had not answered their request since July.
The judge asked the government why Jantar Mantar is still used for protests.
He said protests should not happen inside a city because they disturb people's daily life.
Another group called the CJP said 'hands off' Jantar Mantar, because protesting there is a fundamental right.
The judge did not say whether the protest could happen or not; instead, he told the police to decide by Saturday.
The police also said special rules were in place because Independence Day is coming.
The Supreme Court is also thinking about finding a different place for protests.
Justice Amit Mahajan of the Delhi High Court orally asked why the government was not shutting down Jantar Mantar as a protest venue, saying the city should not be 'put to ransom' by demonstrations.
The court heard a plea by the All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee (AIDCRPC) seeking permission for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on August 10 between 10 am and 1 pm.
AIDCRPC's counsel said Delhi Police had not decided on its application since July 9 even though only about 75 people were expected.
The court directed Delhi Police to decide the application by Saturday without expressing any view, noting prohibitory orders are in force ahead of Independence Day.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das reacted on X with 'HANDS OFF our Jantar Mantar!', while the Supreme Court is separately examining an alternative protest venue.
- Who
- Justice Amit Mahajan of the Delhi High Court heard a plea by the All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee (AIDCRPC), represented by senior counsel Sanjoy Ghose, with Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appearing for Delhi Police.
- What
- The court questioned why Jantar Mantar remains the designated protest venue and directed Delhi Police to decide AIDCRPC's application for a peaceful protest on August 10.
- Where
- Delhi High Court; the protest venue in question is Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- When
- The hearing took place on Friday; Delhi Police was directed to decide the application by Saturday.
- Why
- AIDCRPC sought the court's intervention because Delhi Police had not decided its application since July 9, as it seeks inclusion of Dalit Christians within the Scheduled Castes framework; the court questioned the disruption protests cause the city.
Protest rights advocates
Court and authorities
Jantar Mantar as protest venue
Protest rights advocates
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das wrote 'HANDS OFF our Jantar Mantar!' saying protesters have a fundamental right to peacefully protest there and that it cannot be taken away.
Court and authorities
Justice Mahajan asked why the government was not shutting down the site, remarking that protests 'should not happen in the city' and that the city cannot be put to ransom by demonstrations.
Who decides protest permission
Protest rights advocates
AIDCRPC's counsel sought a court direction to Delhi Police to grant permission for the August 10 protest, noting the police had sat on the application since July 9.
Court and authorities
The court declined to express any view on granting or refusing permission, saying law and order is the domain of the police, and directed the police to decide the application by Saturday.
Need for an alternative venue
Protest rights advocates
The CJP opposes moving protests elsewhere, asking authorities to first designate a place like India Gate before taking away Jantar Mantar.
Court and authorities
The Supreme Court is hearing a PIL arguing Jantar Mantar is no longer a suitable venue due to inconvenience to residents and disruption of essential services.
Key facts
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Judge
- Justice Amit Mahajan
- Petitioner
- All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee (AIDCRPC)
- Protest venue
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Requested protest
- August 10, 10 am to 1 pm
- Petitioner's counsel
- Senior counsel Sanjoy Ghose
- Government counsel
- ASG Chetan Sharma
- Court order
- Delhi Police to decide the application by Saturday
Quotes
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das
Spokesperson for the Chief Justice of India
“"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 India Gate. We will not tolerate taking away of OUR Jantar Mantar too!"”
telegraphindia.com
“"According to me, these things should not happen in the city. But it is the government's call. Why should the city be put to ransom unnecessarily?"”
deccanchronicle.com
Chetan Sharma
Additional Solicitor General of India
“"The Supreme Court is already considering the issue of having an alternative protest site."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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