CBD Ground: Delhi's New protest site has tall grass, waste dump and Rs 1.27 lakh booking fee

Delhi Police designated CBD Ground as a protest venue despite waste, tall grass and inadequate facilities. Its condition, booking costs and existing occupancy raise questions as courts examine the right to peaceful protest.

In Short

• Delhi Police designates CBD Ground as new protest site, replacing Jantar Mantar
• Booking charges are high, with no clear policy for protests
• Ground already booked for events till November 4, raising availability concerns

Delhi Police has designated CBD Ground in East Delhi as one of three new sites for protests and demonstrations. But a visit to the 12-acre Delhi Development Authority (DDA) land raises questions about sanitation, lighting, safety, accessibility and the cost of organising a protest.

Grass as tall as six feet, a waste dump, an open defecation site and a strong stench greet visitors to the ground. The site has inadequate lighting and no boundary wall, raising concerns about its suitability for public gatherings.

Located near Karkardooma Court, the ground sits close to an already congested traffic area. Its distance of around 12 km from Jantar Mantar also raises questions about accessibility for protesters who have traditionally gathered at the central Delhi location.

The concerns come after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called protests on October 10 and 11 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order on October 11, designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as new protest sites. Jantar Mantar has since been denotified as a designated protest venue.

SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS

The ground's condition raises questions about the basic facilities available to demonstrators. Tall grass, waste accumulation and an open defecation site pose sanitation concerns, while the lack of adequate lighting raises questions about the safety of protesters, particularly women, during gatherings.

The absence of a boundary wall adds to concerns about managing and securing large crowds. Its location near an already congested stretch around Karkardooma Court also raises questions about how authorities will manage traffic when demonstrations take place.

For a venue designated for public protests, the availability of basic infrastructure and safeguards remains a key concern.

DDA BOOKING RULES DO NOT MENTION PROTESTS

DDA's website lists four broad categories for booking CBD Ground, primarily covering religious, social and socio-religious events, marriages and government functions. None explicitly mentions political gatherings or protests.

Under the listed categories, organisers seeking to hold a demonstration appear to be left with the commercial booking option.

The charges are substantial: a one-day booking costs Rs 1.27 lakh, while the security deposit is Rs 1.91 lakh. Cleaning charges and GST are additional.

The booking structure raises questions about how political groups are expected to reserve the ground and whether the costs could become a barrier for organisations seeking to hold demonstrations.

GROUND BOOKED FOR EVENTS UNTIL NOVEMBER 4

CBD Ground is already being used for three Ramlila events, while several banquet halls also operate on the premises.

DDA's own records show that the ground is booked until October 30. However, the office secretary of the Balaji Ramlila Committee said the committee had booked it until November 4.

The difference between the booking dates recorded by DDA and those cited by the committee secretary warrants clarification. The existing events also raise questions about the ground's availability for protesters during this period.

DELHI HC TO HEAR PROTEST RIGHTS PLEA ON OCTOBER 16

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday listed for October 16 a public interest litigation seeking directions to authorities to permit peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar and recognise the right to peaceful protest as part of free speech.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma asked the petitioner to place on record a copy of a similar plea pending before the Supreme Court.

"We want to have a copy of the Supreme Court petition. We don't want to pass contradictory orders," the bench said.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the court that the Supreme Court had deferred the hearing on protest-related petitions until October 15.

The court also adjourned until November a PIL filed by National Students' Union of India president Vinod Jakhar, who has sought a "fair, independent and time-bound probe into a series of assaults committed in broad daylight" on ordinary protesters on October 10.

ASG Sharma challenged the maintainability of Jakhar's petition, arguing that it violated PIL rules. The court allowed the Centre three weeks to file its preliminary objections.

Jakhar's counsel urged the court to direct authorities to preserve relevant CCTV footage in the meantime.

QUESTIONS REMAIN OVER CBD GROUND'S SUITABILITY

CBD Ground's designation as a protest venue has brought its physical condition, booking rules and availability into focus. The site has sanitation and lighting concerns, offers no boundary wall, and is located around 12 km from Jantar Mantar.

The commercial booking charges, meanwhile, include Rs 1.27 lakh for one day and a security deposit of Rs 1.91 lakh, apart from cleaning charges and GST. DDA's records also indicate that the ground is booked until October 30, while the Balaji Ramlila Committee secretary says its booking runs until November 4.

Authorities will need to address these practical concerns if the ground is to function as a venue for peaceful demonstrations. The central question is whether the designated site can provide protesters with the basic facilities, safety and access required to exercise their right to peaceful assembly.

- Ends