New Delhi: Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi has supported the decision to close Jantar Mantar as an official protest site, arguing that designating the location for demonstrations was a mistake that remained uncorrected for years. She said the narrow roads, proximity to sensitive government offices and closeness to the Connaught Place commercial area made it unsuitable for large-scale protests.
Bedi, who previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, said cities need designated open spaces for democratic expression but that urban planners often fail to provide adequate space for demonstrations. She also highlighted how Delhi’s protest locations have shifted over the decades, reflecting changing security and administrative requirements.
Her remarks came after the Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police took a decision concerning the use of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue.
Kiran Bedi Explains Why Jantar Mantar Was Unsuitable for Protests
Bedi said Jantar Mantar was not an appropriate location for an official protest site because of its narrow roads and proximity to sensitive buildings and offices. She also pointed out that the important commercial hub of Connaught Place is located nearby.
According to Bedi, the administration made an error when it designated Jantar Mantar as an official protest venue, and the decision was not corrected for years.
She argued that the location’s limitations had led to adverse consequences, particularly in terms of security and the impact of demonstrations on surrounding areas.
Her key arguments against using Jantar Mantar as a protest site include:
- Narrow roads: Limited space can create difficulties when large numbers of protesters gather.
- Proximity to sensitive offices: Demonstrations near important government buildings can raise security concerns.
- Impact on commercial activity: The nearby Connaught Place area is an important business and shopping district.
- Security and traffic management: Large gatherings can create operational challenges in a busy central Delhi location.
Delhi’s Protest Sites Have Changed Over the Decades
Drawing on her experience in the Delhi Police, Bedi recalled how protest venues in the national capital changed over several decades.
She said demonstrations had previously taken place near the Prime Minister’s residence and along Three Murti Marg in the 1970s, when it was associated with the residence of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Protest locations later included roads in Lutyens’ Delhi, followed by India Gate and Boat Club in the 1980s, before demonstrations shifted to Jantar Mantar.
Bedi’s account highlighted how protest locations in Delhi have evolved in response to administrative decisions and the need to manage public demonstrations in the capital.
Kiran Bedi Says Every City Needs a Designated Protest Ground
While supporting the decision concerning Jantar Mantar, Bedi stressed that democratic expression remains important and that every city needs an open space where people can organise peaceful protests.
She said urban planners must account for the need for designated demonstration grounds when planning cities and public spaces.
Bedi’s position is that the solution should not be to overlook the need for protests, but to identify suitable locations that can accommodate demonstrations without creating unnecessary security, traffic or commercial disruptions.
Jantar Mantar Closure Demand Followed July Protest
Bedi had called for Jantar Mantar to be closed as a protest venue after demonstrators came very close to Parliament during the Sansad Chalo march organised by the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) on July 20.
Following that incident, she raised concerns about Parliament’s security and the potential disruption of business in nearby markets. She had also appealed for the closure of Jantar Mantar on July 30, citing similar concerns.
Her latest comments reiterate her view that protest sites should be selected after carefully considering their location, security requirements and impact on surrounding areas.
Kiran Bedi Calls for a Clear Security Framework for Ramlila Maidan
Bedi noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs has identified Ramlila Maidan and other locations for demonstrations. She suggested that judicial intervention may have been necessary to bring attention to the need for suitable protest venues.
However, she said that designating Ramlila Maidan as a protest site should be accompanied by a clear security and operational framework.
Such a framework, according to her argument, would help authorities manage demonstrations more effectively while allowing citizens to exercise their democratic rights.
Bedi’s remarks underline the need to balance freedom of expression with public safety, Parliament’s security, traffic management and the smooth functioning of commercial areas in the national capital.
