The Delhi Police have framed a draft proposal, on the directions of the Supreme Court, with guidelines for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club areas. According to the draft, the Boat Club area, being close to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Prime Minister's office, army installations and various other ministries, will only hold demonstrations related to social causes and with a gathering of around a maximum 500 people, only.
The top court had on July 23, lifted the blanket ban on rallies and protests at the iconic Jantar Mantar and Boat Club areas, saying there could be no such "absolute" restriction as citizens have a fundamental right to hold peaceful demonstrations and had asked the Delhi Police commissioner to frame guidelines within two months to accord sanctions to such events in the area.
Amulya Patnaik, the Commissioner of Police, had constituted a nine-member committee to draft the guidelines. The draft mentions that area witnesses VIP movement on a regular basis and allowing of protest on a daily basis can tarnish the reputation of the country at the international level as several heads of states and tourists are regular visitors to the area.
Another major reason for not considering Boat Club as a site for daily protests is that the area is not just surrounded by VIPs and their offices but also is a strategic area connecting north and south Delhi and sees heavy vehicular traffic. Hence any large gathering would cause grave inconvenience to the public.
The draft also mentions that a demonstration site is the most vulnerable targets for terrorist activities. Therefore, to avoid any untoward incident, the number of protesters will be regulated.
Apart from these, one-fourth of the Jantar Mantar Road will be open for traffic whereas the remaining will be demarcated for protests with a gathering of around 500 people.
The Delhi Police Commissioner constituted a committee headed by Special CP Law and Order (South) RP Upadhayay. The committee has eight other members, including the Joint CP New Delhi Range, Joint CP Prime Minister Security, Joint CP Traffic, among others.
VIP MOVEMENT
- The draft mentions that area witnesses VIP movement and allowing of protest on a daily basis can tarnish the reputation of the country at the international level as several heads of states and tourists are regular visitors to the area.
- The but also is a strategic area connecting north and south Delhi, which sees traffic congestion .
