The Delhi High Court on Friday (August 7, 2026) raised concerns over the continued use of Jantar Mantar as the designated venue for protests and demonstrations in Delhi, with Justice Amit Mahajan questioning whether public agitations should be held in the middle of the capital.

“According to me, these things should not happen in the city,” Justice Mahajan said in oral remarks. “But it is the government’s call. Why should the city be put to ransom unnecessarily?”

The court was hearing a petition by the All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee seeking a direction to the Delhi Police to decide on its request for permission to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on August 10 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

‘Why inside the city?’

Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner informed the court that the organisation had submitted its application on July 9, but no decision had been communicated by the Delhi Police. Justice Mahajan observed, “Personally speaking, why should protests happen inside the city?”

Asserting that law and order is the domain of the police, Justice Mahajan, nonetheless, asked the Delhi Police to decide on the petitioner’s request by Saturday (August 8, 2026).

The judge said he was not passing any direction on whether permission should be granted or denied, but said the petitioner should be informed about the decision of the authorities.

Alternative protest site

With Independence Day around the corner, prohibitory orders are in place in the said area, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said. He also informed the court that the Supreme Court is currently examining the broader issue of identifying an alternative protest site in Delhi.

On August 3, the Supreme Court agreed to examine a plea contending that Jantar Mantar, in the heart of the capital, is no longer a suitable venue for protests as they cause inconvenience to residents and disrupt essential services.

The petitioner is seeking permission to protest peacefully at the Jantar Mantar regarding their long-standing demand for inclusion of Dalit Christians within the Scheduled Caste framework. The petitioner’s counsel said that around 75 people were expected to join the protest, adding that the Delhi Police could even assign an alternative protest venue to them for August 10.

Published - August 07, 2026 08:38 pm IST