In order to maintain law and order and ensure safety, the Delhi Police has issued guidelines for people protesting in Jantar Mantar. Prior to the Kisan rally on November 30, Delhi Police recently proposed some new guidelines for protesting at Jantar Mantar. In September a meeting was held to finalise the guidelines.
"Delhi Police is making elaborate arrangements to ensure safety and minimize inconvenience for the general public and the protestors. We have set a limit of 1,000 persons for protesting at Jantar Mantar. Provisions are being made to control Traffic as well," said Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi).
According to the guidelines, if the number of protesters exceeds beyond 1,000 at Jantar Mantar, they will be asked to go to Ramlila Maidan which can accommodate up to 50,000 people.
According to the order, multiple protests in a day can be held at Jantar Mantar from 10 am to 5 pm with appropriate time gap provided it adheres to the 1,000 limit. Pitching tents or temporary structures at Jantar Matar, even for temporary periods is prohibited.
Delhi Police is holding talks with the All India Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), said that they will stop the protesters at Ramlila Maidan since it is expected that the number of protesters will be close to 30,000.
The order stated that any organiser bringing in protesters exceeding 1,000, despite submitting an undertaking will be considered as a "deliberate attempt to violate the orders of the Supreme Court".
Delhi Police in their order stated that they will take legal actions if organisers don't comply or co-operate and they will be kept on record to consider while giving permission for future protests.
In addition, maximum 25 buses will be permitted in the jurisdiction of New Delhi district and parking of these vehicles will be allowed at Jai Singh Road or any other alternative place in consultation with the Traffic Police and no cattle driven cart or agricultural vehicles will be allowed.
As per the order, no loudspeaker or public address system shall be used at the venue of the rally or dharna at Jantar Mantar without specific permission from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi).
In case permission is granted by the concerned authority, loudspeakers shall be sued between 10 am to 5 pm and no vehicle mounted with public address system for addressing protesters will be permitted at the place of protest.
The order bans carrying of lathis, firearms, spears, swords and other such weapons at these protest venues and also on burning effigies or documents, cooking and littering while also caution the participants from indulging in arson, or assaulting any Government servant.
"No demonstration prompted by tragic incidents will be allowed as it
generates massive emotional outbursts, resulting in huge spontaneous, leaderless and directionless crowds, with a possibility of damage to public or private institutions or promote enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place or birth, residence language, and more," the order said.
On July 23, the Supreme Court today lifted a blanket ban on rallies, dharnas or sit-ins at the Jantar Mantar and Boat Club areas here, saying there could not be an "absolute" ban on protests in such localities.