One acre of Ramlila Maidan marked as site for protests

NEW DELHI: A one-acre portion of Ramlila Maidan on Tuesday was designated as the new permanent protest site to hold agitations by North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

The move comes after the National Green Tribunal banned public demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in October last year.

Unlike Jantar Mantar, however, where protesters did not have to deposit a security amount, agitators will have to pay ₹5,000 in advance for venting their ire at Ramlila Ground. The amount will be refunded if no violation of terms and conditions is found after the event.

“People who want to hold demonstrations or protests will need to apply with the civic agency in a prescribed format for necessary permission from the deputy commissioner’s office. The applicant will also need to get prior permission from the Delhi Police and submit registration proof if it is an NGO,” a circular issued by the civic agency states.

The seven-acre Ramlila Ground falls under the jurisdiction of North Delhi Municipal Corporation. The decision to earmark one acre for protests was taken in a joint meeting of municipal officials, Delhi government and Delhi Police.

The earmarked portion, facing Kamla Market, is being barricaded for protests. “The remaining portion will be used as per the prevailing policy of civic body for organising social events,”said Renu Jagdev, additional commis- sioner, North Corporation.

In October 2017, the National Green Tribunal had directed the Delhi government, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Police commissioner to immediately stop all protests, public speeches, use of loud speakers at Jantar Mantar road and temporarily shifted the protesters to Ramlila Maidan.

Jantar Mantar has been the site of many famous protests — including Anna Hazare’s anticorruption movement, Babri Masjid demolition protests and the Tamil Nadu farmers protest.

The green court’s ban order came after a group of residents of Jantar Mantar Road filed a petition, saying that the multiple protests in the area was leading to noise pollution.