look news india
Delhi Police and the local administration have implemented very strict guidelines regarding protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which has been the historical center of the country’s democratic voice and mass movements. In view of the frequent long traffic jams at Jantar Mantar located in the most sensitive Lutyens’ Delhi of the capital, security arrangements for VVIP routes, noise pollution and problems of local residents, it has been decided to effectively ban large gatherings, indefinite dharnas and rallies. It has been clarified by the administration that now the protesters, political parties, farmer unions and social organizations who have gathered in large numbers will come to the historic center of Central Delhi to express their views. Ramlila Maidan (Ramlila Maidan). After this step, a new debate has erupted in the political and social circles of Delhi.
Jantar Mantar is located very close to the busiest business and administrative centers like Parliament House, Central Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Connaught Place. There are several strong administrative and security reasons cited for limiting demonstrations at this location:
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Heavy traffic jam and life affected: When thousands of people reach Jantar Mantar during the Parliament session or on big political events, Sansad Marg, Ashoka Road, Janpath, Barakhamba Road and Tolstoy Marg come to a complete standstill. Due to this, emergency ambulance services, office going employees and common travelers have to struggle for hours.
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Noise pollution and complaints from local residents: There are many residential colonies, government houses and business establishments around Jantar Mantar. There has been a blatant violation of the noise pollution standards of the Supreme Court and NGT by the use of loudspeakers day and night.
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Security of Parliament House and Central Offices: In view of the three-tier security arrangement for the new Parliament House and surrounding areas, security agencies had recommended that no unruly crowd should be allowed to sit for long within a radius of 1 to 2 kilometers of Parliament.
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Violation of permission conditions: Many organizations used to come with only token permission of 100 to 200 people, but gathered a crowd of thousands on the spot and tried to break the barricade and march to Parliament, which created a serious law and order situation.
According to the new arrangement decided by the administration, the structure of protests in Delhi has been set as follows:
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Ramlila Maidan (main demonstration venue): Only Ramlila Maidan has been made the authorized venue for any major movement, rally, huge gathering or gathering of more than a thousand people. There is adequate space, safe barricading, parking and arrangements to control large crowds.
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Only limited and symbolic permission at Jantar Mantar: Instead of completely closing Jantar Mantar, only small delegations (maximum 50 to 100 people) will be allowed to hold a symbolic protest there during the day time (10:00 am to 5:00 pm) with very strict conditions.
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Complete ban on overnight stay: Permission to pitch tents, cook food or camp indefinitely at Jantar Mantar will not be allowed under any circumstances. It will be mandatory to vacate the site completely after 5 pm.
After this tough stance of the administration, now the organizations coming to Delhi with their demands will have to go through a new and strict process:
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Online Portal and Advance Permission: Now the protesters will have to submit a written or online application to the Licensing Department of Delhi Police at least 10 days in advance, in which they will have to give a clear affidavit of the probable number of protesters, names of the leaders and the deadline.
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Security Clearance and Compliance with Conditions: The organizers will have to give an affidavit that if there is any damage to public property, the same will be compensated financially by the organizers.
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Reaction of opposition and civil organizations: Many social organizations and opposition parties have described this decision as an attempt to suppress the right to democratic dissent. His argument is that by going to a closed ground like Ramlila Maidan, the voice of the people does not directly reach the corridors of power. Some organizations have also started preparations to challenge this administrative order in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, in its earlier case ‘Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan’ vs Union of India, had made it clear that citizens have a fundamental right to peaceful protest, but this right must be balanced with the right to free movement of other citizens and public order. This new step by Delhi Police aims to strike this balance between security and democratic rights, although in the coming days, it will be important to see how big movements proceed under this new system.