Jantar Mantar: How Delhi's protest hub became a symbol of dissent

Jantar Mantar, a prominent protest venue in central Delhi for more than three decades, is set to lose its status as a designated site for demonstrations, with police identifying alternative locations across the city.

Delhi Police has removed the venue from its list of authorised protest sites and designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in Shahdara as alternatives.

The move came two days after the Supreme Court urged authorities to consider better-equipped alternatives for demonstrations.

Before Jantar Mantar became Delhi's principal protest hub, demonstrations were held at the Boat Club lawns near North Block and South Block, which house key government ministries.

In 1993, Jantar Mantar emerged as the new centre for protests after restrictions were imposed on demonstrations at the Boat Club lawns following a major protest.

Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II to study celestial movements, the historic Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory is separate from the protest site on an adjacent road. Over time, the road became a prominent gathering place for citizens seeking to bring their grievances to the attention of the political establishment.

Its central location, close to Parliament and Connaught Place, made it attractive to protesters hoping to draw the attention of government leaders and the wider public.

Farmers, trade unions, political parties, students, civil-society groups and individuals campaigning on personal causes have held demonstrations there. While some protests lasted only a few hours or days, others continued for months or even years.

However, the frequent use of loudspeakers and public-address systems became a source of friction with nearby residents.

In October 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took up a complaint from residents of Jantar Mantar Road, who raised concerns about continuous demonstrations, noise pollution, sanitation problems and disruption to daily life.

The tribunal directed the Delhi government, the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Police commissioner to stop protests, public speeches and loudspeaker use on Jantar Mantar Road. It also ordered the removal of temporary structures and waste and directed that protesters be shifted to Ramlila Maidan.

The order was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and other appellants, including groups representing farmers and ex-servicemen, as well as individual protesters.

The petitioners argued that the restrictions infringed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.

On 13 July 2018, the Supreme Court set aside the blanket ban on protests at Jantar Mantar, holding that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right while recognising that the right is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interests of public order and the rights of others.

The latest move to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues marks another chapter in the long-running debate over where citizens can gather to express dissent in India's capital.