Delhi Central Park shut, cops allow small gathering for CJP's Tiranga march

The Central Park closure comes amid heightened security in Connaught Place ahead of the CJP's march, with the High Court refusing to restrain the protest.

In Short

• CJP calls for tricolour march after members jailed for Jantar Mantar trespass
• NDMC closes Central Park in Connaught Place ahead of 'Lehra do Tiranga' march
• Delhi Police asks public to stay away from CJP's tricolour march

The Delhi Police may facilitate a small gathering to carry the national flag and sing the National Anthem at a suitable location during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed Lehra Do Tiranga march, even as the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced that Central Park in Connaught Place will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17.

The police have urged people to stay away from the proposed demonstration, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Officials said the display and carrying of the National Flag, as well as the singing of the National Anthem, must follow prescribed norms and maintain due respect, dignity and decorum.

The police said a group of 11 people could be facilitated to carry the national flag and sing the National Anthem at a suitable location.

The proposed march has been called by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke for Friday at 5 pm. The party has also urged supporters to organise parallel Tiranga marches in other cities at the same time.

CENTRAL PARK TO REMAIN CLOSED FOR TWO DAYS

In a notice issued on Thursday, the NDMC said Central Park, which houses a monumental national flag, would remain closed to the general public on October 16 and 17 for “administrative reasons”. The notice did not specify any further reason for the closure.

The closure comes amid heightened security arrangements in central Delhi ahead of the proposed demonstration.

Dipke has urged citizens to gather with the national flag, alleging that CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were jailed for unfurling the Tricolour.

Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday and lodged in Tihar Jail after being accused of violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a designated protest site.

DELHI HIGH COURT DECLINES TO RESTRAIN CJP PROTEST

The developments come a day after the Delhi High Court declined to restrain the CJP and Dipke from holding the proposed demonstration at Central Park.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma was hearing a petition filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a Connaught Place vendor, seeking directions to the police to regulate the protest in accordance with the law.

The court took on record the police's assurance that all possible steps would be taken to regulate the protesters' activities and address concerns about potential disruption to businesses in the area.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma told the court that measures had already been taken to control the CJP's activities. He assured the bench that the petitioner's concerns would be addressed and that all necessary steps would be taken in accordance with the law, if required.

The bench declined to issue a specific direction restraining the CJP from holding the demonstration.

HEAVY SECURITY AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S MARCH

Heavy security arrangements are expected in and around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar ahead of the proposed demonstration, police sources said on Thursday.

Several companies of paramilitary forces have been stationed in the national capital, while police personnel are expected to be deployed at strategic locations. Barricades will be erected, and the movement of protesters and commuters will be regulated to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents, a police source said.

A senior police officer reiterated that Connaught Place was not a designated protest site.

“Jantar Mantar has been denotified as a designated protest site. Protesters can hold demonstrations at Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground or CBD Ground after obtaining the requisite permission,” the officer said.

The march was announced after the arrests of Das and Ranka following their arrival at Jantar Mantar. They were subsequently remanded to five days of judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate.

In a statement, Dipke urged citizens to join the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ demonstration, maintaining that waving the national flag was a democratic right. The party has also called for simultaneous marches in other cities at 5 pm on Friday.

Central Delhi has witnessed protests by Opposition parties, student groups and civil society members since June and July over various issues, including the functioning of the Election Commission.

The Supreme Court has previously issued directions in the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and Shaheen Bagh protest cases, stating that demonstrations cannot result in the blocking of traffic, office gates or arterial roads.

The NDMC has not specified any reason for the two-day closure of Central Park beyond citing administrative reasons.

- Ends