Following the administrative decision by Delhi Police to de-notify the historic Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue, the newly allocated alternatives—Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground—have drawn sharp criticism from city chroniclers, resident welfare associations, and civil activists.
While the shift is intended to regulate public demonstrations, urban experts argue that the new venues present major financial, geographical, and logistical barriers.
Analyzing the Three New Venues
Each of the alternative locations comes with unique challenges that could impact the visibility and effectiveness of public demonstrations:
Ramlila Maidan (Central Delhi): Located roughly 4km from Lutyens’ Delhi, Ramlila Maidan has a rich history of hosting political agitations. However, it is a paid venue managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), requiring a daily booking fee of ₹50,000 alongside a ₹55,000 security deposit. Furthermore, applicants must book the entire 12-acre space, making it financially unviable for smaller groups. Its availability is also severely constrained during festive seasons.
CBD Ground (East Delhi): Maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), this 12-acre venue in Shahdara is primarily used for commercial events and weddings. Situated amid densely populated residential and commercial complexes, local Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have raised alarms over potential traffic gridlocks and the unsuitability of holding protests in congested urban pockets.
Burari Ground (North Delhi): Spanning approximately 50 acres, the Nirankari Ground in northwest Delhi is the largest of the three. However, located around 18km away from central administrative zones, its isolation has previously drawn criticism from farm unions and activists who liken the remote site to an “open-air enclosure” designed to minimize public and media visibility.
Concerns Over Democratic Access
City historian and author Sohail Hashmi criticized the systematic shifting of protest venues further away from the centers of political accountability.
Highing the importance of proximity to decision-makers, Hashmi noted that protest sites must serve as accessible spaces where citizens can ensure their voices are heard by representatives and the media, rather than being relegated to isolated or cost-prohibitive peripheries.
