HOW TO HOLD A LAWFUL PROTEST IN THE CITY?

Holding a protest for one reason or the other is a trend in the Capital, and why not? It’s a right of every citizen to be heard. But not many are aware of how one can go about holding a lawful protest, especially in the Parliament Street area. It needs a special permission from New Delhi DCP to hold a lawful protest. After National Green Tribunal’s order, Jantar Mantar is no more a legal site to protest.

“Though the location has been shifted, the preferred area for the protesters is Parliament Street. The maximum number we can allow is up to 2,000 to 3,000. For above than that, Ramlila Ground is the place,” says Madhur Verma, DCP, New Delhi.

Verma shares that initially, there was a cost to hold a protest in Ramlila ground but according to a recent order, one-third of the area is free.” The New Delhi Police has to coordinate with the Traffic Police to manage the traffic movement in the area and if the protest clashes with a VIP movement or a major festival, chances to organise a protest are few. “The Parliament Street stretch involves major traffic diversions and we have to keep the traffic route in mind before allowing a protest,” says Verma.

The maximum number of protests are organised during parliament session and the approvals are given on firstcome-first-serve basis. “There are three layers of barricading during protests, people aren’t allowed to cross any. If they break the first one, we give them signals to not go further. If they break the second barrier, water cannons are used, and the third layer breakage means detention. It has never happened since I took charge as New Delhi DCP,” says Verma.

There are three areas in New Delhi to organise a protest — Tolstoy Road, Church Gate Road and near SBI. So, those planning a protest, hold a lawful one.