Is Jantar Mantar closed to CJP protesters? Delhi Police clarifies

The Delhi Police, on Thursday, dismissed social media claims that said Jantar Mantar has been locked or closed for protests, calling such remarks "false and misleading."

There have been social media posts in the past few days, claiming that the iconic protest venue had been shut for demonstrations.

"Rumours are circulating on social media alleging that Jantar Mantar has been locked or closed for protests. These claims are entirely false, misleading, and devoid of facts," the Delhi Police said, and added that Jantar Mantar remains an active and authorised site for peaceful and authorised demonstrations.

The clarification comes even as Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, on Wednesday, said if need be, the students may launch a fresh agitation on a "much bigger scale" if police harassment of people who participated in the protest continues. "These students are not terrorists. They are the future of our country. If the future of the country is troubled in such a way, just as Dharmendra Pradhan had to step down...Tomorrow, we will go and change the government if it doesn't fall in line," the CJP founder had warned.

Jantar Mantar remains an active and authorised venue for peaceful protests in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by Delhi Police in compliance with the court's order, the police said.

Under the existing SOP, permission can be granted for a gathering of up to 1,000 people at the protest site, subject to approval by the competent authority, the police statement said.

"Citizens are strongly advised not to believe or circulate unverified information and to rely strictly on official communications for accurate updates," the police clarification said, according to news agency ANI.