New Delhi: The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has strongly opposed any move that could restrict or remove Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for peaceful public protests in the national capital. The organization stated that any attempt to curtail the space available for democratic expression would undermine the constitutional rights of citizens.
In a statement, CJP emphasized that Jantar Mantar has long served as one of India’s most recognized locations for peaceful demonstrations, where citizens, social organizations, students, workers, and advocacy groups have gathered to voice concerns on issues of public importance.
The organization asserted that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. According to CJP, any decision that effectively eliminates Jantar Mantar as a protest site would raise serious concerns about the shrinking of democratic spaces available to the public.
CJP said it “will not tolerate” any move that seeks to take away the historic protest venue, adding that citizens must continue to have access to designated public spaces where they can express dissent peacefully and lawfully. The group urged authorities to engage with stakeholders before implementing any policy changes affecting protest locations.
Jantar Mantar has witnessed numerous demonstrations over the years, ranging from campaigns for social justice and environmental protection to demands for policy reforms, making it a symbolic venue for civic participation in the capital.
While acknowledging the need to balance public convenience, traffic management, and security considerations, CJP argued that such concerns should not come at the cost of restricting fundamental democratic freedoms. The organization called for solutions that accommodate both public order and citizens’ constitutional rights.
Legal experts have frequently noted that while the right to protest is subject to reasonable restrictions, any limitations imposed by authorities must be lawful, proportionate, and consistent with constitutional principles.
The development has once again brought attention to the ongoing debate over the availability of public spaces for peaceful demonstrations and the balance between civic freedoms and administrative requirements in India’s capital.
