Delhi police drop Jantar Mantar as protest site, name three new locations

A fresh standing order issued on Oct 12 names three alternative sites for demonstrations, citing recommendations from a Ministry of Home Affairs committee.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:09:07 GMT

On Oct 12, 2026, the Delhi Police issued Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026, removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues and designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground in East Delhi as the new sites for public demonstrations, according to news18.com and DNA India.

What happened

The order, released early on Oct 12, partially revises a standing order dated Apr 28, 2022 that had listed Jantar Mantar as a permitted location for mass gatherings. The revised directive states that any unauthorised assembly in restricted security corridors will be denied clearance unless a valid administrative permit is obtained.

What the reports add

News18 reported that the change follows recommendations from a committee set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and that the three new sites – Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground – are now the only locations where protests may be held without prior clearance. DNA India echoed the list of new sites and added that the move comes amid heightened security after a recent CJP protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

What was said

Delhi Police officials told news18.com that "peaceful expression is protected, but unauthorised mass gatherings in restricted security corridors will not be permitted without valid administrative clearances." DNA India did not quote a specific official but linked the decision to the ongoing security concerns surrounding the CJP protest.

How it came about

The decision follows a series of protests at Jantar Mantar earlier in October. On Oct 2, Delhi police detained nearly 1,000 demonstrators at the site (Felo coverage). Subsequent actions on Oct 3 and Oct 10 saw further arrests of AISA activists and restrictions around Bangla Sahib Gurdwara (Felo coverage; Felo coverage). The cumulative security pressure appears to have prompted the police to re‑evaluate designated protest zones.

Key facts

Delhi Police issued Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026 on Oct 12, 2026. (news18.com)
Jantar Mantar was removed as a designated protest venue. (news18.com)
Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground are now the designated protest sites. (dnaindia.com)
The change follows recommendations from a Ministry of Home Affairs committee. (news18.com)