IYC Chief Moves Delhi HC Against Jantar Mantar Protest Ban
Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib moves Delhi High Court against the Delhi Police order denotifying Jantar Mantar as a protest site.
In a significant legal move regarding the right to dissent, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bhanu Chib has approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the recent decision by the Delhi Police to strip Jantar Mantar of its status as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations.
The legal challenge follows an order issued by the Delhi Police on October 11, which officially denotified the iconic site, effectively removing it from the list of approved locations where citizens can gather to voice their grievances.
The Shift to Alternative Venues
With the sudden withdrawal of Jantar Mantar's designation, the Delhi Police has redirected protesters to three alternative locations located in East Delhi. According to the police order, the new designated sites for demonstrations are:
- Ramlila Ground
- Burari Ground
- CBD Ground
This sudden shift has sparked concerns regarding the accessibility and visibility of protests, as Jantar Mantar has historically served as the central hub for various social and political movements in the national capital.
A Continuing Legal Battle
This fresh application is not an isolated event but part of an ongoing legal struggle led by Chib. The IYC president already has a petition pending before the High Court that challenges the standing orders of the Delhi Police governing how protests are managed.
The core of the legal argument rests on the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Chib's previous and current petitions highlight several critical points:
- Freedom of Speech: The challenge argues that restrictions on protest venues infringe upon the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
- Right to Assemble: The plea emphasizes that the move restricts the right to peaceful assembly, a cornerstone of democratic expression under Article 19(1)(b).
- Permission Denials: The legal battle also stems from earlier instances where permissions for proposed protests at Jantar Mantar were refused by the authorities.
As the Delhi High Court deliberates on these applications, the fate of Jantar Mantar remains uncertain, leaving a vital space for public discourse in a state of legal limbo.