Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Governance
Why in news?
Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and named three new spots for such demonstrations, two of which are far from Central Delhi, the government’s nerve centre.
- Denotification – Jantar Mantar has officially been de-notified as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations by the Delhi Police.
- The decision follows recommendations from a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to find alternative sites to address safety and traffic management concerns.
- Reason for denotification – It came after the Supreme Court asked authorities to designate a suitable alternative venue for protests.
- At Jantar Mantar, a crowd beyond 1,000 leads to crowding, traffic congestion, the presence of sensitive installations in the vicinity and the need for better infrastructure such as water, toilets, and healthcare facilities.
- Major Movements Associated with Jantar Mantar
- Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement (2011)
- Nirbhaya justice protests (2012)
- Tamil Nadu farmers' agitation (2017)
- Protests against Article 370 abrogation and CAA (2019)
- Newly Designated site
- Ramlila Maidan – near the New Delhi railway station;
- Burari ground (open ground); and
- CBD ground in Shahdara.
- Crowd capacity – Jantar Mantar can accommodate about 3,000 people, Ramlila Maidan has a capacity to hold about 50,000, the CBD ground around 15,000, and the Burari ground 80,000 (largest of the three sites).
Constitutional significance – Article 19(1)(a) - Freedom of speech and expression & Article 19(1)(b) - Right to assemble peacefully. Subject to reasonable restrictions concerning public order, security, and sovereignty.
Reference
Indian Express | Jantar Mantar de-notified as protest site
