HighLights
  1. Delhi Police mandates 10-day prior permission for Jantar Mantar protests.
  2. Jantar Mantar gatherings capped at 1,000 people; larger protests elsewhere.
  3. Congress calls for Oct 8 protests, labels police action "Black Day."

Delhi Police on Wednesday issued a fresh clarification on protest rules at Jantar Mantar, stating that permission must be sought at least 10 days in advance and that gatherings at the designated protest site cannot exceed 1,000 people. The clarification comes as the Congress has announced protests across the state, district and block levels on October 8, a day after opposition leaders were detained during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Moreover, CJP has also planned a protest for Oct 10.

The Congress has termed the police action a "Black Day" for Indian democracy and called for widespread protests on Thursday. The developments come amid heightened political activity in Delhi, with the INDIA bloc continuing its campaign seeking Kumar’s removal over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) planning a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.

What Delhi Police Said About Jantar Mantar Protests

Under a Delhi Police standing order issued in compliance with a 2018 Supreme Court judgment, demonstrations and sit-ins at Jantar Mantar require prior permission from the competent authority.

Applications for permission must be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, at least 10 days before the proposed event.

The guidelines allow gatherings of up to 1,000 people at Jantar Mantar. Protests involving between 1,000 and 50,000 people are to be held at Ramlila Maidan, while gatherings exceeding 50,000 have been designated for Burari.

Screenshot 2026-10-07 220819

Demonstrations are also prohibited in the Central Vista area, including India Gate, C-Hexagon, Man Singh Road, Janpath, Rajpath and adjoining roads.

The clarification came a day after hundreds of opposition leaders and workers were detained following their march towards the Election Commission and an over eight-hour sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan.

Similarly, INDIA bloc MPs and supporters again marched towards Jantar Mantar on Wednesday as part of their protest demanding the removal of Gyanesh Kumar.

ALSO READ: Sit-Ins, Detentions And 2 Days Of Chaos: Rahul, Priyanka In Spotlight As INDIA Bloc Ups Ante Against CEC

Meanwhile, the CJP has informed Delhi Police about its proposed October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar. Its co-convenor, Saurav Das, submitted an intimation letter at the Parliament Street police station. The outfit has said that thousands of people are expected to participate.

Delhi Police has maintained that Jantar Mantar remains an authorised site for peaceful and approved demonstrations, subject to prior permission and the prescribed crowd limit.

Congress Announces October 8 Protests

The Congress has announced widespread protests at the state, district and block levels on October 8, observing a "Black Day" for Indian democracy following the police action and detention of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and others.

In a note issued by the AICC, the party alleged that its leaders were subjected to a lathi charge, resulting in injuries.

“Today, the BJP-led central government under Shri Narendra Modi crossed all limits. When INDIA bloc MPs--led by Hon''ble Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi were marching peacefully towards Jantar Mantar to demand accountability from the Election Commission, they were stopped and subjected to force. Shri Rahul Gandhi, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi, our senior leaders, and INDIA bloc MPs were subjected to barbaric mistreatment and a lathi-charge, resulting in serious injuries,” the note signed by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal read.

ALSO READ: Priyanka Lies on Road, Rahul Gets Carried: Dramatic Moments From Jantar Mantar Protest | IN PICS

Congress termed the police action an 'attack on the Constitution' and said it would continue its campaign until Gyanesh Kumar is removed from office.

“This attack on the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and on elected representatives of the people is an attack on the Constitution itself. The Indian National Congress declares this day a ‘Black Day’ for Indian democracy. All Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs), District Congress Committees (DCCs), and Block Congress Committees (BCCs) are directed to organize widespread protests at the state, district, and block/mandal levels tomorrow, Thursday, October 8, 2026,” the note stated.

“The Indian National Congress will continue this fight relentlessly until Shri Gyanesh Kumar is removed from his post and the integrity of our electoral system is fully restored. Please treat this matter as extremely urgent and ensure immediate compliance,” the note read.

Day 2 protest against Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise turned tense near Jantar Mantar after Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc MPs attempted to move past police barricades.

Rahul Gandhi attempted to open a barricaded gate but was stopped by police personnel as INDIA bloc MPs tried to proceed towards Jantar Mantar.

While, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen lying on the ground during the confrontation.

 


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