The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has asked Delhi Police to choose a date for its proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, after the venue was de-notified as a designated protest site and three alternative locations were identified for assemblies.
In a letter addressed to the deputy commissioner of police at Parliament Street police station, CJP activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka sought permission to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. They also asked the authorities to reduce the police deployment in the capital and gave Delhi Police 24 hours to respond.
The request follows a decision by Delhi Police to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues. According to the report, the police identified Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative locations for demonstrations.
The CJP’s letter referred to objections from the government and police about inadequate advance notice for protests. The group said that, instead of being required to provide notice at least 10 days in advance, it was giving the police the option of selecting the date for the proposed demonstration.
“Given the constant allegation from the government and Police’s side about not informing them of the protest well in advance, i.e. before at least 10 days, we hereby give you the option to provide us the designated protest site Jantar Mantar on a date of your choosing,” the letter stated.
The activists also alleged that recent policing measures had disrupted public life through heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, road closures and barricades. They further alleged arbitrary detentions, physical aggression and prolonged custody involving protesters and other citizens. These allegations were made by the group in its representation and were not independently established in the supplied report.
The CJP said peaceful assembly was a constitutionally protected right and argued that citizens, students and young people should not be prevented from exercising democratic rights. It warned that, if the police did not allocate Jantar Mantar for the gathering, it would continue its peaceful protest and announce a fresh date for a mass demonstration.
Speaking to reporters, Ranka said the activists had formally approached Delhi Police and offered to hold the protest on a date chosen by the authorities. He also alleged that the deputy commissioner of police briefly entered the room and left after seeing the activists, while the additional DCP and station house officer were unavailable. The police station, he claimed, appeared to have been vacated after the group arrived.
The CJP said it had formally submitted the letter seeking permission to assemble at Jantar Mantar. The next immediate step is Delhi Police’s response to the 24-hour request and whether the authorities will nominate a date or direct the group to one of the three alternative venues.
