Delhi’s historic Ramlila Maidan, recently designated as one of the capital’s three official protest venues, is available for bookings on only December 29, 30 and 31 this year, raising concerns about access to public demonstration spaces.
The 12-acre ground, which can accommodate around 50,000 people, costs ₹50,000 per day, with an additional refundable security deposit of ₹55,000. Including taxes, the initial payment for a day’s booking comes to approximately ₹1.21 lakh, according to civic officials. A small section of the ground is available free of charge, but it can accommodate only around 150 people.
The development follows Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar’s October 11 order removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites and naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and the Central Business District (CBD) Ground in East Delhi as alternatives. While officials have cited administrative costs, public safety and the venue’s existing commitments, the limited availability and high booking charges could make organising demonstrations difficult for smaller groups and citizen-led movements.
High Costs, Limited Access
According to officials familiar with the booking arrangements, Ramlila Maidan has no available dates for the next two and a half months, leaving only the final three days of December open for reservations this year. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), through its horticulture department, manages bookings for the ground. Organisers must also obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Delhi Police before the civic body can approve an application.
Defending the financial arrangements, another official said, “If given up for protest without any fees, the civic body will stand to lose at least Rs 50,000 plus per day.” The statement reflects the civic administration’s position that allowing the venue to be used without charge would involve a financial cost. For protest organisers, however, the challenge is not merely paying for a venue but finding an available date and meeting the administrative requirements in time.
Jantar Mantar Replaced
The booking constraints have assumed greater significance after Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order on October 11 removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues. Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground in North Delhi and CBD Ground in East Delhi were named as alternative locations for demonstrations. The police order followed discussions on finding alternative sites for public gatherings and managing the congestion and disruption associated with protests in central Delhi. A detailed and revised standard operating procedure for demonstrations at the three locations is expected to establish the arrangements under which future protests can take place.
The change has raised questions about whether the replacement venues will provide meaningful access to peaceful assembly, particularly for groups without substantial financial resources. Unlike Ramlila Maidan’s paid booking system, Jantar Mantar had served as a prominent protest site where citizens, political organisations and campaigners could gather to raise public concerns. Ramlila Maidan itself has a long history of hosting political rallies, public meetings and demonstrations.
However, its location in a busy commercial area presents additional logistical challenges. Officials have pointed out that large gatherings can put considerable pressure on surrounding roads, including Asaf Ali Road and Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which already experience congestion. During major events, traffic diversions are often required to manage the increased movement of people and vehicles. The ground is also booked for festivals and other public programmes, including seasonal festivities such as Dussehra and Diwali.
These existing commitments help explain the limited availability, but they also mean that groups seeking to organise demonstrations may have to plan months ahead or consider alternative venues. For smaller organisations and residents’ groups, the combination of limited dates, upfront expenses and permission requirements could present a substantial obstacle.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Peaceful protest is an important part of a democratic society, allowing citizens to express grievances, question decisions and seek accountability without resorting to violence. At the same time, public authorities have a responsibility to maintain law and order, protect essential services and minimise disruption to residents and businesses. Both responsibilities can be addressed through transparent rules, reasonable logistical arrangements and meaningful dialogue between officials and organisers.
While maintaining public spaces involves costs, access to peaceful assembly should not become a privilege available only to organisations that can afford substantial booking charges. Authorities could consider transparent concessions for small citizen groups, students, community organisations and non-profit campaigns, alongside clear procedures for obtaining permission and reserving dates.
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