The Delhi Police has denied permission for the Cockroach Janata Party’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, citing serious law-and-order concerns and the need to prevent inconvenience to the public. The force also issued an open letter urging citizens to maintain a humane approach towards police personnel during demonstrations.
The open letter, posted by the Delhi Police on X, said citizens have the right to raise their voices, while the police have a duty to protect them. It added that the person standing behind the khaki uniform is also an ordinary human being with a family and a sense of humanity.
The police communication comes against the backdrop of recent demonstrations in which violence and assaults on police personnel were reported, according to the report. The appeal placed public protest and police safety in the same frame, while reiterating that citizens’ security remains the responsibility of the force.
The refusal to permit the CJP event was conveyed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi district, to CJP co-convener Saurabh Das and joint secretary Balkrishna. The letter said allowing the proposed demonstration could create serious law-and-order problems. It also cited the broader public interest and stated that the requested permission could not be granted.
The police said the communication received from the CJP about the proposed programme was only an intimation and did not constitute a formal application seeking permission under the applicable procedure. According to the guidelines for organising programmes at Jantar Mantar, organisers must apply at least 10 days before the proposed date of the event.
The decision concerns one of Delhi’s designated spaces for public demonstrations, located in New Delhi near important constitutional offices and government establishments. The police said the area requires security and law-and-order arrangements before any gathering can be permitted, particularly in light of previous experiences.
Delhi Police PRO and Additional Commissioner of Police Rajiv Ranjan said the right to hold a peaceful protest was important. He added that New Delhi also contains important offices and establishments of constitutional authorities, making public safety a necessary consideration before permission is granted for any assembly.
The police position therefore rests on two stated grounds: the proposed event did not follow the prescribed application process, and authorities assessed that granting permission could create serious public-order and public-safety concerns. The force has not indicated in the supplied report whether the organisers have been offered an alternative date or venue. The proposed October 10 programme remains without permission under the decision communicated by the New Delhi district police.
