New Delhi: Emphasising the need for a dedicated space equipped with adequate civic infrastructure, the Supreme Court has directed the Central government to identify a new alternative site for peaceful protests in the national capital, moving beyond the traditional venue of Jantar Mantar.
The directive from the top court came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the bench that the government would earnestly consider designating another location for public demonstrations.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Mehta informed the court that the government had proposed taking an early decision regarding the establishment of a designated protest site. He noted that this was a constructive suggestion and added that senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the protesters, also fairly agreed with the proposition.
Acknowledging the consensus, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that all parties were on the same page regarding the necessity of a new venue. “It is time that an alternative site is identified for peaceful protests, where basic amenities can be provided,” CJI Surya Kant stated. The Chief Justice further directed the competent authorities to take an appropriate and timely decision in this regard to balance democratic rights with public convenience.
This significant development comes against the backdrop of the escalating tensions surrounding the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar scheduled for October 10.
Ahead of the highly anticipated agitation, Delhi Police have blanketed the city in heavy security. In a press conference held on Friday, the police officially denied permission for the CJP to hold its demonstration at the iconic Jantar Mantar site. Authorities justified the denial by stating that the organisers had previously failed to adhere to legal directives and violated their commitments during past protests, necessitating the strict denial of permission this time.