Staging a demonstration at Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan may come at a steep price, with the ground open for bookings on just three dates before the year ends and the upfront payment, including taxes and a refundable deposit, reaching around Rs 1.21 lakh, PTI reported, citing officials.
The move follows a Delhi Police order issued on October 11 that replaced Jantar Mantar with three designated protest sites — Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi — for public demonstrations.
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According to officials, the 12-acre venue can accommodate nearly 50,000 people but has no available booking slots until December 29, 30 and 31. The ground is already reserved for other events, with the festive season adding to demand in the coming weeks.
Hiring the venue costs Rs 50,000 per day, along with a refundable security deposit of Rs 55,000. Including taxes, applicants must pay around Rs 1.21 lakh upfront for a single day, an official told PTI.
A small section of the ground is available free of charge for protests and gatherings, but can accommodate only around 150 people, civic officials said.
The venue is booked through the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's horticulture department. Permission is granted after applicants obtain a no-objection certificate from Delhi Police.
The charges could make it difficult for organisations, political groups and residents to hold demonstrations at the venue. According to the report, protesters were not required to pay comparable booking fees at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order on October 11 designating three new locations for protests. Police have said a revised standard operating procedure outlining the rules for demonstrations at these sites will be issued separately.
Civic officials have cited the ground's multiple uses and its location in a busy commercial area as reasons for restricting bookings. Three hospitals and the municipal headquarters are located nearby, while large gatherings often affect traffic on surrounding roads.
During major events, police have had to make Asaf Ali Road one-way and divert vehicles heading towards Deshbandhu Gupta Road to Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.
Add a sharper opening on protest costsClarify the booking dates and availability
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An official recalled that a BJP rally in 2014 triggered a traffic jam extending to ITO, nearly four kilometres away, despite it being a Sunday.
Ramlila Maidan also holds considerable historical and political significance. The site became associated with the annual staging of Ramlila in 1932 and subsequently hosted rallies addressed by Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narayan and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Ramlila Maidan also served as the venue for Arvind Kejriwal's swearing-in as Delhi chief minister in 2013.
With Jantar Mantar no longer an authorised protest site, the scarcity of available dates and substantial booking expenses at Ramlila Maidan may make it harder for organisations and groups to hold large-scale demonstrations in the national capital.
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