Jantar Mantar is no longer a protest site: All about Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground
On 12 October 2026, the Delhi Police designated Jantar Mantar as a designated site for protests in the national capital. Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground were earmarked as alternatives to Jantar Mantar for demonstrations.
The move, according to a standing order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, comes at a time when the capital is witnessing a spate of protests and demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Student-led organizations, youth organizations such as the Cockroach Janta Party and leaders of the INDIA bloc staged demonstrations in and around the Jantar Mantar area and central Delhi, with thousands of people detained for unlawful assembly. The denotification of Jantar Mantar has drawn criticism from activists and opposition parties who say it is a suppression of citizens’ right to protest. Cockroach Janta Party demonstrations were also held at Jantar Mantar in July 2026 due to NEET paper leak.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the three new designated protest sites – Ramlila Maidan, CBD Ground and Burari Ground.
Jantar Mantar: From astronomical observatory to major protest site
Ramlila Maidan
View of Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Ramlila Maidan or Ramlila Ground is located 4 km from Jantar Mantar. Spread over 12 acres, it has played an important role in the country’s political history over the decades. It is operated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for all management and reservation purposes.
Considered to have inspired the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Syama Prasad Mookerjee launched his satyagraha in 1952 from the Ramlila Majdan against Article 370, which at that time provided temporary special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In 1956 and 1957, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, addressed large public meetings from the country.
India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru addresses a public rally at Ramlila Maidan, 1963
In 1962, during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II, a large permanent stage was erected on the ground in honor of the British monarch.
The grounds are often used to host cultural gatherings such as the annual Dussehra and Ramlila celebrations.
CBD Ground
The CBD plot is located in the bustling commercial area of Shahdara and is managed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). It is 13 km from Jantar Mantar.
It has a total area of 12 acres and is adjacent to Vikas Marg, a major thoroughfare in East Delhi that connects the Trans-Yamuna region to Central Delhi via the ITO Bridge.
The CBD site’s location in a densely developed neighborhood raises questions about the potential impact of protests on surrounding communities and businesses.
Burari Ground
View of Burari Ground in New Delhi | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Burari Ground in North West Delhi, also known as ‘Nirankari Ground’, is the largest of the three designated sites. It is the farthest of the three from Jantar Mantar and is located 15 km from the former protest site. Burari Ground is managed and managed by the Delhi Development Authority.
It has an area of 50 acres and is bounded by Dr KB Hegdewar Marg and Shah Alam Band Marg to the south and north respectively. Burari Ground regularly witnesses many cultural and political programs and has also been the site of farmers’ protests.
Farmers during a protest against the anti-farm bill at Burari Ground, New Delhi, in 2020 | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Price and availability of Ramlila Maidan
Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressing a rally at Ramlila Maidan, 1976
News agency PTI notes that Ramlila Maidan has no dates available for the next two and a half months. Only December 29, 30 and 31 are open for booking this year, according to officials. Ground booking cost is ₹50,000 per day plus a refundable security deposit of ₹55,000. The initial outlay, including taxes, is ₹1.21,000 per day booking, the report added. Civic officials clarified that a small portion of the property is open for free gatherings, but only hosts up to 150 people.
A 2017 report by The Hindu states that only one party can book a venue at a time. This raises questions as to how protesters from various organizations can effectively demonstrate at Ramlila Maidan. In comparison, Jantar Mantar was free and had no booking fee.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) also raised concerns in 2017 over noise, traffic jams and prolonged sit-in demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, The Hindu reported. Following a Supreme Court order in July 2018, which ruled that public protests could not be completely banned, the Delhi Police issued a standing order saying the site could be a venue for protests of up to 1,000 people.
Earlier, in 2003, the Delhi Police had issued a Standing Order specifying that “if it was less than 5,000, the site could be Jantar Mantar. If it was more than 5,000 but less than 50,000, the protesters had to be directed to the Ramlila Maidan site for their demonstration. If it was 50,000 Burari.” was even bigger, the protesters were led towards Narela,” said a 2026 report in The Hindu.
What is the situation now?
On 13 October 2026, Janta Cockroach Party leaders Saurav Das, Ajinkya Shinde and Ashutosh Ranka were detained while trying to enter Jantar Mantar. On October 14, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody.
In X’s post, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said that the Delhi Police has also arrested several leaders. Reacting to a video posted by Mr Dipko showing CJP protesters carrying a flag near Jantar Mantar, a senior Delhi Police officer told The Hindu that the protesters entered the area through restaurants and food stalls near the protest site. Since Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a protest site, it is illegal to hold demonstrations there, the officer said, adding that the protesters were immediately detained and further action was underway.
(With inputs from PTI)
Published – 13 October 2026 14:30 IST