India
What is a designated protest site? Explaining the Jantar Mantar decision
Delhi Police have de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as the new venues, according to reports on October 12.
A designated protest site is a place where the authorities permit peaceful gatherings, usually with conditions.
Jantar Mantar, near Connaught Place, was long the main such site in Delhi.
Delhi Police de-notified it, according to reports on October 12, and named three East Delhi grounds in its place.
The order cites the recommendations of a Home Ministry committee.
The Supreme Court had suggested on October 9 that another location be considered.
The Tribune dates the order October 11, while The Hans India says a police circular announcing the decision was issued on Monday, October 12, so the public announcement may have come a day after the order.
A detailed standard operating procedure for the three new venues will be issued separately, according to the reports.
The move follows a Supreme Court suggestion on October 9 that the government consider whether another location should be designated for peaceful protests in place of Jantar Mantar, citing amenities, according to the reports.
The decision comes amid protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
On Sunday, October 11, more than 100 people were detained while marching towards Jantar Mantar, according to PTI reports quoted by ETV Bharat.
The detained included students and supporters of the CJP protest, according to the same live blog.
At a special Sunday sitting, the Supreme Court ordered that people who gather peacefully, outside areas under prohibitory orders, should not be detained arbitrarily.
The court also said metro, rail and internet services should run normally, according to the ETV Bharat live blog.
On Monday, the Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at six central stations from 6 am to 4 pm for security reasons.
The six stations are Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road, according to Business Standard and Whalesbook.
Jantar Mantar, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0