New Delhi, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Several protesters were detained by the Delhi Police on Saturday during a ‘Reclaim Jantar Mantar’ march demanding the restoration of the iconic location as an officially designated protest site.
The demonstration followed the Union government’s decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue on October 12. Three alternative locations — Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and the Central Business District (CBD) Ground in East Delhi — have since been designated for holding protests.
Carrying banners and raising slogans, the demonstrators demanded that Jantar Mantar be reinstated as an official protest site. They also raised slogans against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and called for the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls.
A protester told IANS that the government had been detaining people attempting to reach Jantar Mantar since a sit-in against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar began on October 2. The protester alleged that demonstrators, including women, had faced harsh treatment during police action.
“In a democracy, there is freedom to raise one’s voice, and if it is indeed a democracy, the government should not be afraid,” the protester said, demanding that Jantar Mantar be returned to the public for demonstrations.
Another demonstrator said the march was intended to reclaim the site and opposed the government’s decision to designate alternative venues for protests.
A third protester alleged that Jantar Mantar was de-notified after demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner gained momentum. The demonstrator said the protesters would not shift their agitation to Burari Ground or Ramlila Ground and would continue seeking permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar.
Another participant said the protesters would continue their agitation despite the possibility of detention or police action.
Earlier, several demonstrators, including student activists, were detained while attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were also detained earlier this week on charges of trespassing at the site. Shinde was subsequently released on a bail bond, while Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. Both are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.
Security arrangements around Jantar Mantar remained in place on Saturday amid continued attempts by protesters to reach the area. Barricades blocked roads leading to the site, while police personnel were deployed at key intersections to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised gatherings.
The march comes amid continuing demonstrations in the national capital against the ECI and the SIR process.
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