New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned whether Jantar Mantar should continue to remain the designated protest site, saying that an entire city should not be affected by demonstrations in the heart of the capital.
“According to me, these things should not happen in the city. But it is the government’s call. Why should the city be put to ransom unnecessarily?” Justice Amit Mahajan said orally.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee, which has sought permission from the Delhi Police to hold a peaceful protest at on August 10 from 10 am to 1 pm.
The organisation said the Delhi Police had not taken a decision on its request since July 9.
“Personally speaking, why should protests happen inside the city?” Justice Mahajan observed.
The judge said law and order was the responsibility of the police and asked Delhi Police to decide on the organisation’s request by Saturday.
Justice Mahajan clarified that he was not directing the police to either allow or reject the protest. He only asked the authorities to inform the petitioner about their decision.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma told the court that Independence Day was approaching and prohibitory orders were already in place in the area.
He also said the Supreme Court was already examining the possibility of having an alternative protest site.
On August 3, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a PIL challenging Jantar Mantar’s suitability as a protest venue. The plea argued that protests at the site, located in the heart of Delhi, cause inconvenience to residents and disrupt essential services.
The petitioner’s counsel told the High Court that around 75 people were expected to attend the August 10 protest. The counsel also said Delhi Police could provide an alternative venue if permission was not granted for Jantar Mantar.
“The Delhi Police shall decide the application and convey its decision by tomorrow,” the court said.
The organisation wants to hold the protest over its long-standing demand to include Dalit Christians within the Scheduled Castes framework.