How Jantar Mantar became Delhi's designated protest site and what changes now

NEW DELHI: Jantar Mantar, one of Delhi's best-known protest venues, has lost its status as a designated site for demonstrations. On October 12, Delhi Police de-notified the site and named three alternatives: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.The decision follows recommendations from a committee constituted by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to examine alternative venues for protests and demonstrations.For several decades, Jantar Mantar has been synonymous with protests in the national capital, a place where farmers, students, workers and political organisations have gathered to raise their demands. More recently, it became the centre of youth-led protests over the NEET paper leak, with demonstrators demanding reforms to the examination system and the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.However, Delhi's address for protests has not always been Jantar Mantar.