Jantar Mantar No Longer a Designated Protest Site: Delhi’s Alternatives Come With a Cost

New Delhi: For years, Jantar Mantar has been a familiar place for people seeking to make their voices heard in the national capital. From political demonstrations to public campaigns, the central Delhi location has provided a recognised space for protests. That arrangement has now changed, with three other grounds designated as alternatives.

The new venues are Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in Shahdara. But finding another place to hold a demonstration may not be as simple as choosing a location from a list. Booking charges, limited availability and the distance participants must travel could all affect how easily groups organise protests.

Ramlila Maidan: A booking can require over ₹1.2 lakh upfront

Ramlila Maidan may be one of the better-known alternatives, but using the full ground comes with a significant upfront payment.

The reported daily booking charge is ₹50,000, with a refundable security deposit of ₹55,000. After taxes, the total initial payment comes to ₹1,21,080. The security deposit is refundable subject to the applicable conditions, but organisers still need to arrange the entire amount before the event.

Availability is another concern. When the new arrangement was reported in October 2026, only December 29, 30 and 31 were available for booking. The ground, spread across around 12 acres, can accommodate approximately 50,000 people, making it suitable for large gatherings but also a venue in demand for other events.

A smaller section can reportedly be used without charge for protests and public gatherings, although its capacity is limited to around 150 people.

Bookings involve the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s horticulture department, and organisers need a no-objection certificate from Delhi Police. The combination of advance payment, permissions and limited dates could make the process difficult for groups that need to organise a demonstration quickly.

CBD Ground: The cost is another consideration

CBD Ground in Shahdara offers an alternative in East Delhi, but the reported booking charges are also substantial.

A daily booking for a plot of approximately 3,000 square metres has been reported at ₹1.87 lakh, including ₹95,000 in security charges. The figure applies to the specified plot size; the amount for other booking arrangements may differ.

For smaller organisations and community groups, such expenses could influence whether they choose to hold an event at the ground. The final cost is only one part of the decision. Organisers also need to know whether the venue is available on their preferred date and whether its facilities can accommodate the gathering.

Questions around sanitation, waste management and competing bookings have also drawn attention to the practical conditions at the site. A designated venue needs to be usable, not merely available on paper.

Burari Ground: Getting there may be a challenge

Burari Ground, located in North Delhi, completes the list of three alternative sites. Its location could make it convenient for some residents while adding travel time for people coming from central, southern or eastern parts of the city.

For anyone attending a protest, the journey matters. Participants may need to take time off work, pay for transport or travel from outside Delhi. A location that takes longer to reach can make it harder for people to attend, particularly when a demonstration is announced at short notice.

The three sites are spread across different parts of the capital, so accessibility will vary depending on where people live and the transport connections available. The venue’s capacity and booking conditions will matter too.

What does the change mean for protest organisers?

Organising a demonstration involves more than deciding on a date and gathering participants. Groups must secure the required permissions, find an available venue and understand any charges before making arrangements.

The reported costs at Ramlila Maidan and CBD Ground make the financial question difficult to ignore. The initial payment for a full-day booking at Ramlila Maidan is ₹1,21,080, while the reported daily charge for a 3,000-square-metre plot at CBD Ground is ₹1.87 lakh. These are different booking arrangements, but both indicate that holding a demonstration at a designated venue may involve considerable expense.

The smaller free section at Ramlila Maidan may help groups planning limited gatherings. However, its reported capacity of around 150 people means it may not be suitable for larger demonstrations.

Organisers will also need clear information about the permission process, security requirements, available dates and facilities at each location. The detailed procedures governing protests at the new sites will be important in determining how the arrangement works in practice.

Public spaces have to work for the people using them

The change raises a wider question about how Delhi manages its public spaces. Large grounds are used for political gatherings, religious celebrations, cultural programmes and other events. Each places different demands on traffic, security, transport and nearby facilities.

Ramlila Maidan, for instance, sits in a busy part of the city. A large gathering can bring people into the surrounding area, but it can also require traffic diversions and affect nearby roads and businesses. Authorities must balance these competing needs while keeping the venue accessible for permitted events.

These decisions are part of the wider challenge of planning a growing capital. The location of public spaces, the infrastructure around them and the ease with which people can reach them all influence how useful they are. AquireAcres has explored this broader issue in its article on Delhi’s urban planning and the DDA’s role in shaping the capital.

Transport connectivity is another consideration, particularly when public gatherings are moved away from familiar central locations. Delhi’s expanding metro network forms part of the city’s wider infrastructure development, including the new Delhi Metro corridors and their impact on Delhi-NCR connectivity.

What happens next?

The immediate challenge is making sure organisers can understand and navigate the new system. Information about booking costs, available dates, permissions and facilities will help groups decide which venue suits their needs.

For now, Delhi has moved away from Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and identified three alternatives. Whether these locations work well will depend on more than their official status. They will also need to be accessible, available when required and practical for the people who want to use them.

The change has shifted where demonstrations can be organised. The next test is whether the replacement venues can accommodate that responsibility without making the process unnecessarily difficult for organisers and participants.