The Delhi Police is likely to recommend capping the duration of protest at the Jantar Mantar at maximum one day and limit the number of protesters at 5,000, after the Supreme Court revoked the ban on holding rallies and dharnas at the iconic site.
A senior police officer said with the Jantar Mantar being redesignated as a site for holding protests, their job of containing protests will become easier. “After the National Green Tribunal order banning all protests and dharnas around Jantar Mantar last year, protesters wanting to get their plea would gather anywhere, thereby affecting law and order. But with the top court lifting the ban on rallies at the Jantar Mantar, our job of monitoring the situation would become easier,” he added.
The Jantar Mantar can accommodate a maximum crowd of 5,000, and if the number exceeds it, traffic comes to a standstill in lutyens’ Delhi.
Before the NGT ban on protest there in October last, the Jantar Mantar was like a home to many protesters.