Jairam Ramesh Slams Jantar Mantar Denotification Move
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accuses the government of targeting the right to dissent after Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a protest site.
In a sharp rebuke of the recent government decision, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused the central leadership of attempting to stifle democratic dissent by stripping Jantar Mantar of its status as a designated protest site.
The move, which officially de-notifies the historic landmark as a venue for demonstrations, has sparked a heated political debate regarding the freedom of assembly and the right to protest in the national capital.
'Panic Within Leadership,' Says Ramesh
Taking to social media to express his outrage, Ramesh suggested that the decision was a direct reflection of the insecurity felt by the highest levels of the government. He claimed that the move indicates a sense of "extreme panic" within the Prime Minister and Home Minister's leadership.
Ramesh argued that Jantar Mantar has historically served as a vital space where Indian democracy receives a "daily booster dose" through public expression. He further criticized the administration's handling of peaceful demonstrations, suggesting that the focus has shifted from democratic values to maintaining power.
New Protest Venues Designated in East Delhi
The denotification follows an official notice confirming that Jantar Mantar will no longer serve as a designated venue for organizing protests and demonstrations in Delhi. Instead, the Delhi Police has identified three new locations to accommodate citizens exercising their right to protest.
The newly designated sites are:
- Ramlila Ground
- Burari Ground
- CBD Ground (East Delhi)
According to official sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had previously constituted a committee to investigate alternative venues for public demonstrations. The decision to shift protests away from the heart of the capital comes based on the formal recommendations provided by that committee.
Activists Warn of Threat to Democracy
The decision has also drawn intense criticism from civil rights activists. Abhijeet Dipke, a CJP activist, echoed Ramesh's sentiments, alleging that the move is a calculated attempt to undermine fundamental democratic rights.
Dipke suggested that the issue is not merely about the physical location of protests, but rather the government's discomfort with the concept of public dissent itself. He warned that the erosion of designated protest spaces could lead to a broader erosion of democratic principles in the country.