The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) plan to march with Tricolours at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday may not get off the ground. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has shut the park to the public on October 16 and 17 for “administrative reasons”, and Delhi Police has told people to stay away, saying prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are already in force in the area.
The NDMC said in a notice dated October 15 that the park would stay closed on October 16 and 17 “due to administrative reasons”. The NDMC director issued the notice. The closure falls on the day the CJP has called people to the park at 5 pm with Tricolour flags.
The civic body has also told Delhi Police about the closure. Police said in a statement on Thursday that it has asked for adequate security to prevent unauthorised access to the park. Police said Section 163 of the BNSS is already in force in Connaught Place and adjoining areas to maintain peace and protect lives and property. The statement said police would take legal action against those who defy the orders. People were urged to cooperate.
Police did leave a small opening. They said a select group could wave the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable place. Only a limited number would be allowed. Police added that the flag must be carried and the anthem sung in the prescribed manner, with respect, dignity and decorum.
For traders, the stakes are about business. Police said market and trader associations in Connaught Place and nearby areas had sought protection for their establishments from unruly elements and unlawful assemblies. They fear trouble could hurt sales during the festive season.
Heavy security has been put in place in and around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar. Several paramilitary units are already in the capital. Police officials said they will place personnel at strategic locations. Barricades will go up, and the movement of protesters and commuters will be regulated to prevent any untoward incident. For those travelling through the area, that could mean checks and delays.
A senior police officer said Connaught Place is not a designated protest site. He said Jantar Mantar has been denotified as a protest site. Protesters can hold demonstrations at Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground or CBD Ground after obtaining the requisite permission, an official said.
The stand-off has been building through the week. Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest site earlier this week. The CJP responded by returning to the venue with the national flag.
On Wednesday, CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. They were arrested after entering Jantar Mantar and raising slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party then announced the march at Central Park.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke appealed to people to join the march carrying the national flag. He also made a wider call. “I request all political parties and civil society groups to rise above ideology and come together. If the right to vote is not saved, democracy will not be saved,” Dipke said.
The party has spread its appeal through social media and the press conference. Whether the crowd gathers is now uncertain. With the park gates closed and prohibitory orders in place, the venue the party chose will not be open to the public on the day it asked them to come.