Jantar Mantar under tight security a week after CJP protest ends, civic agencies restore site

A week after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called off its mass agitation over the NEET paper leak, Delhi’s iconic protest venue at Jantar Mantar has largely returned to normal. Traffic is flowing freely, shops have resumed business and civic authorities have cleared the debris left behind by weeks of demonstrations. Yet, heavy security deployment at the site suggests authorities are not taking any chances.

A visit by The Pioneer to Jantar Mantar on Thursday found the main protest area still barricaded, with a strong presence of Delhi Police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams. Visitors entering the designated protest area were subjected to frisking, bag checks and security screening before being allowed inside.

The visible security presence comes despite the CJP ending its 36-day protest on July 25 after the Centre accepted several of its demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Government had also assured the withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters and announced compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide following the examination controversy. However, the administration appears to be preparing for the possibility of fresh demonstrations. CJP leaders, including Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have publicly urged governments to honour their commitments, warning that they would be “forced to return to the streets” if the promises were not fulfilled. While several state governments have initiated the process of withdrawing cases against protesters, the exercise remains incomplete in some states.

Security agencies are also maintaining heightened vigilance as the Monsoon Session of Parliament continues, since Jantar Mantar remains a key venue for demonstrations in the national Capital.

“Security is tight because of the recent protests. Barricading will remain at Jantar Mantar,” Delhi Police personnel deployed at the site told The Pioneer.

Even as security remains on high alert, civic restoration work is still underway. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and other agencies have removed garbage accumulated during the prolonged sit-in and repainted walls and police barricades that had been covered with slogans and graffiti related to the NEET paper leak and alleged examination irregularities. Contractors were also seen carrying out painting and welding work at multiple locations inside the protest zone on Thursday.

Despite speculation on social media that Jantar Mantar had been permanently closed for protests following the CJP agitation, Delhi Police has dismissed such claims as misleading, clarifying that peaceful demonstrations continue to be permitted after following due procedures. The claim is also reflected on the ground. On July 29, members of Left-affiliated student organisations staged a protest at Jantar Mantar against alleged police excesses during the CJP demonstrations. On Thursday, a small political outfit was also holding a demonstration at the venue, indicating that protest activity has resumed, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Authorities had also anticipated fresh gatherings after a retired police officers’ association announced a protest on July 30 over alleged attacks on police personnel during the CJP agitation, though the event did not materialise. Another transport union has announced a “Sansad March” on July 31 over the E20 petrol issue, adding to the administration’s cautious approach.

Outside the barricaded protest zone, however, normalcy has largely returned. Shops and eateries around Jantar Mantar were functioning as usual, with a steady flow of customers replacing the thousands of protesters, volunteers and security personnel who had occupied the area until last week.

While the protest has ended, the continued barricading, intensive security checks and ongoing restoration work underline the administration’s determination to remain prepared for any fresh mobilisation in the politically sensitive Parliament Street area.