Supreme Court Asks Centre to Consider Relocating Delhi Protest Venue from Jantar Mantar
The Supreme Court of India has directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to consult Union Government authorities regarding a petition asserting that Jantar Mantar is no longer an appropriate location for public protests in the national capital. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant highlighted the importance of the issue, citing operational concerns over access, sanitation, traffic, and security near key government installations.
What Happened
On August 3, 2026, the Supreme Court considered a petition filed by Satish Chand Kaushik, who was represented in court by advocate Aakarshan Aditya. The plea urges the discontinuation of Jantar Mantar as the ordinary designated venue for public demonstrations and asks the government to designate Ramlila Maidan, or another sufficiently large and secure ground, as the principal protest venue in the national capital.
Chief Justice Surya Kant noted that issues regarding ingress, egress, medical essential supplies, and sewage at Jantar Mantar made the plea important. Addressing the Solicitor General, the Chief Justice requested instructions on the matter and ordered it to be listed separately. In response to concerns raised regarding demonstration management, Chief Justice Kant observed that the government knows how to handle such situations, adding that if they cannot, the court could be approached again.
Key Highlights
- Request for Relocation: The petitioner seeks to shift designated protest venues from Jantar Mantar to Ramlila Maidan or another large, secure ground.
- Infrastructure and Spatial Issues: The plea points out severe limitations at Jantar Mantar regarding sewage facilities, emergency medical access, and entry-exit routes.
- Impact of Digital Mobilisation: Counsel argued that digitally mobilised movements can quickly expand a small gathering into several thousand people without a reliable command structure or verified attendance estimates.
- Proximity to High-Security Zones: The site’s location near Parliament, the Central Vista, diplomatic missions, commercial centers, and government establishments creates security risks and spatial convergence.
- Commuter Disruption: Prolonged traffic congestion in Central Delhi due to demonstrations causes significant hardship to ordinary citizens commuting in the area.
- Recent Incidents Referenced: The petition cited a national townhall program by Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal outside the Constitution Club regarding the E20 policy, cautioning against similar occurrences.
Why This Matters
The petition directly touches upon legal precedents established by the apex court regarding the right to protest and public convenience:
In 2018, the Supreme Court lifted a ban on protests at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club, holding that the right to protest must be balanced with the right of local residents to live peacefully, noting that dissent must take place at designated sites.
In its 2020 Shaheen Bagh judgment, a three-judge Bench held that fundamental rights do not exist in isolation. The court ruled that the rights of protestors must co-exist with those of commuters, finding the indefinite occupation of public roads unacceptable.
What to Watch Next
The Solicitor General will take instructions from Union Government authorities regarding the feasibility of shifting the designated protest location, after which the Supreme Court will hear the listed matter separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jantar Mantar being opposed as a protest venue?
The petition states that Jantar Mantar was originally designated for small, manageable demonstrations. Rapid digital mobilization, physical space constraints, traffic snarls, and proximity to sensitive government and diplomatic areas make it unsuitable for modern gatherings.
Which alternative venue has been proposed?
The petitioner has urged the government to designate Ramlila Maidan, or another sufficiently large and secure ground, as the principal venue for public demonstrations in Delhi.
What has the Supreme Court previously held regarding protest rights?
The court ruled in 2018 that protests should occur at designated places while respecting residents’ rights to live peacefully. In 2020, the court affirmed that protest rights must co-exist with commuter rights and that public roads cannot be indefinitely occupied.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.