When the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered that no dharnas can be held at Jantar Mantar any longer, many instantly assumed that the alternative protest site Ramlila Maidan would see many protests. However, as per data given by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Ramlila Maidan was booked only eight times between October 2017 and mid-February 2018, reported The Indian Express.
The organisations that did hold rallies on Ramlila Maidan include Swaraj India, the All Bodo Students' Union, the All India Confederation of SC/ST organisations, the Bhartiya Gau Karanti Manch, etc.
According to the Indian Express report, civic body officials stated that one has to pay Rs 50,000 to book Ramlila Maidan and Rs 5,000 as security deposit.
“Delhi has no protest site. It’s tough for organisations to pay Rs 55,000 to book the ground… But protesting at Parliament Street is not simple – unless there’s a huge gathering, police will remove you,” Swaraj India President Anupam told The Indian Express.
Jantar Mantar was close to the power centre. Even if you are not being heard, you can vent. It was a safety valve for democracy. But now there’s no site because the government doesn’t want people to raise their voice.Anupam, Swaraj India President
One also needs to procure a no-objection certificate from Delhi Police and the relevant civic body to hold a protest on Ramlila Maidan, which was not the case with Jantar Mantar, where anyone was free to protest.
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