Amidst the tightening of protest regulations in Delhi and the removal of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue, the Congress party has received a major relief. On Saturday, the Delhi Police issued a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) to the Congress party to hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan. The ground will be booked from October 25th to November 3rd. This development comes amid ongoing opposition parties’ protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Central Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rohit Rajbir Singh told a news agency that the Congress party first sought information from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) about the availability of Ramlila Maidan. The MCD confirmed that the ground was available from October 25th to November 3rd. Following this, the Congress contacted the Delhi Police.
The DCP said that after discussions with the Congress party and security arrangements, the police decided to issue the NOC. He said the certificate was issued on Saturday itself. Now, the Congress will submit it to the MCD, after which the party can begin its preparations. The MCD owns the Ramlila Maidan land.
Following the de-recognition of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site in Delhi, the police have identified three alternative venues. These include Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan, and the CBD Ground in East Delhi. DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh said that other individuals or organizers wishing to hold events at these locations can follow the prescribed procedure.
The Congress’s proposed rally comes at a time of heightened political controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. In recent weeks, protests have been held in the national capital by the INDIA alliance and several activists. Opposition parties are demanding the withdrawal of the SIR and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police have also taken action during these protests. Over 100 protesters were detained amid tight security in Central Delhi. The Congress party has been continuously protesting against the Chief Election Commissioner, and allies of the INDIA alliance have also joined in.
Meanwhile, tensions also arose in Delhi over protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Party workers Abhijeet Dipke, Sourav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were detained on October 10. They were released the following day after being produced before an executive magistrate.
Subsequently, Das, Ranka, and others were arrested for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar without permission. According to party member Ajinkya Shinde, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on October 14. He said that these actions will not deter activists.
On Friday, Delhi Police also detained Abhijeet Dipke to prevent him from leading a proposed ‘Lahara Do Tiranga’ rally at Central Park in Connaught Place. Authorities invoked Section 163 of the Indian Civil Services Code (BNSS), which imposes strict restrictions on public gatherings in Central Delhi. According to the police, Dipke has been granted bail in Delhi with certain conditions.