The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday opposed any move to remove Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue, hours after the Delhi High Court questioned whether demonstrations should continue at the centrally located site.
CJP Spokesperson Saurav Das said the party would not tolerate the removal of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. “Hands off our Jantar Mantar,” Das said on X, while questioning where citizens would be allowed to exercise their fundamental right to peaceful protest if Jantar Mantar was also taken away.
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The CJP had spearheaded a students’ protest at Jantar Mantar last month against the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The agitation was followed by a proposed march towards Parliament on July 20, which turned chaotic after police used lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse protesters.
The controversy comes after Delhi High Court Justice Amit Mahajan expressed reservations about protests being held at Jantar Mantar, saying demonstrations at a centrally located venue could unnecessarily “hold the entire city to ransom”. The court, however, said the final decision rests with the government and police.
Delhi Police has maintained that Jantar Mantar is a designated protest site and demonstrations can be held there with prior permission. The Supreme Court is also expected to hear a PIL challenging the continued use of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue.
