After Jantar Mantar was denotified as a protest site, three alternative venues — Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi, CBD Ground in east Delhi and Burari Ground in north Delhi — have come into focus. But a visit to the sites reveals questions over their accessibility, infrastructure and availability, besides the distance protesters would have to travel to reach them.
Ramlila Maidan: Puddles, events and limited availability
A view of Ramlila Maidan after it was designated as one of the three protest sites.
| Photo Credit:
Sushil Kumar Verma
Located around 3–4 km from Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan is the closest of the three alternatives and has a long history of hosting political rallies and mass movements. However, its use for demonstrations could be constrained by the cost of booking the venue and a calendar crowded with other events.
During The Hindu’s visit, large conical tents, a giant wheel, amusement rides and food stalls occupied parts of the ground as Dussehra celebrations continued in the city. Walking across the 12-acre site was difficult in places, with puddles dotting the ground.
Its location amid densely populated neighbourhoods and busy roads, though strategic, poses a traffic management challenge. It is managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which charges a booking fee of around ₹50,000 a day, apart from a refundable security deposit. A no-objection certificate from the Delhi Traffic Police is also required to host events here. The venue can accommodate around 50,000 people.
Beyond Dussehra and Ramlila celebrations, the ground hosts rallies, marches and other events through the year. A portion is also used for MCD parking, further limiting the space available at any given time.
CBD Ground: Tall grass and muddy patches amid an urban hub
A view of CBD Ground in Shahdara (East Delhi).
| Photo Credit:
Sushil Kumar Verma
Located around 13km from Jantar Mantar, the Central Business District (CBD) Ground in Shahdara would shift demonstrations to east Delhi, away from the Capital’s central political and administrative district. Spread across approximately 12 acres, one section of the ground has a capacity of around 15,000 people.
During The Hindu’s visit, parts of the ground were occupied by Ramlila celebrations and a fair. In another part, grass as tall as six feet stretched across a large expanse, broken by muddy patches and scattered garbage, raising concerns about its readiness to host public gatherings.
The ground is surrounded by residential colonies, markets, luxury hotels and other commercial establishments. It is also used for community events and wedding functions through the year, potentially complicating its availability for demonstrations.
Burari Ground: A vast expanse behind barriers
A view of the Burari Ground.
| Photo Credit:
Sushil Kumar Verma
Burari Ground, also known as Nirankari Ground, is the largest of the three proposed sites, spanning around 50 acres in north Delhi. Located approximately 23km from Jantar Mantar, along the Outer Ring Road, it is also the farthest from the traditional protest hub.
The expansive ground presents a patchwork of terrain. During The Hindu’s visit on Saturday (October 17, 2026), waterlogged stretches lay alongside green patches where grass had grown to around four feet. Tarred tracks cut through sections of the ground, while other routes remained unpaved.
According to the locals, the ground has served as an informal recreational space for residents, who used it to play cricket, football and other sports. Driving learners practised riding two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and cars, while cattle could be seen grazing across the open expanse.
But access was restricted during the visit. Wire fencing ran along the perimeter, while wide pits had been dug at entry points to prevent vehicles from entering. A large yellow board bearing the Delhi Development Authority’s name stood outside the ground.
Unlike a developed public venue, the ground has no shade, making temporary tents necessary for prolonged demonstrations. Depending on the section booked, the arrangements could add to the cost of holding a protest.
Jantar Mantar, the heartland of dissent in Delhi | In pictures
An aerial view of the historic Jantar Mantar in the heart of the Delhi city. Its location, less than 3 km from Parliament, made Jantar Mantar a symbolic alternative to marches towards Parliament.
The Delhi Jantar Mantar, originally known as Yantra Mantra, was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur as an astronomical observatory at the behest of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah.
Supporters of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare gather for a day-long fast at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on December 11, 2011, to protest the proposals of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Lokpal Bill.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists demonstrate at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 16, 2004, to protest the central government’s decision to hike the prices of petrol, diesel, and LPG.
Students clash with police during a protest march at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in 2014, demanding action against racism following attacks on people from Northeast India and the death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania.
Members of the Northeast community hold a candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in 2014 to demand justice for Nido Tania, the student from Arunachal Pradesh whose death sparked widespread outrage against racism.
Farmers from Tamil Nadu display what they state are the skulls of farmers who died by suicide during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in 2017, demanding drought relief and farm loan waivers.
Tamil Nadu farmers stage a grim protest at Jantar Mantar in 2017, eating raw meat and biting into bones and skulls. After 44 days in the national capital without a response to their grievances, the protesters accused both the central and State governments of ignoring their demands, warning they would resort to eating flesh from human bodies to press their case.
Protesting farmers from Tamil Nadu hold skulls during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in 2017 to demand loan waivers and a drought-relief package.
Students hold placards during a protest march at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on December 31, 2012, demanding justice following the death of the 23-year-old gang-rape victim.
Thousands of anti-rape protesters stage a candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on December 29, 2012, demanding justice for the gang-rape victim.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sangeeta Phogat march with other protesters from Jantar Mantar toward the new Parliament House near the WFI chief’s residence in New Delhi on May 28, 2023.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat (top) and Sangeeta Phogat struggle with security personnel as they are detained during a march from Jantar Mantar toward the new Parliament House in New Delhi on May 28, 2023.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat, along with other protesters, are detained by security personnel during a march from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament House in New Delhi on May 28, 2023.
Members and supporters of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) during their protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged rigging of the NEET-UG exam and against the Agniveer Scheme, in New Delhi on June 27, 2024.
Members of various student organisations staging a protest against the National Testing Agency (NTA) over the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG exams 2024 at Janter Mantar in New Delhi on July 3, 2024.
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 22, 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters raise slogans as they gather ahead of a protest march at the Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on July 20, 2026.
Supporters gather in support of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 19, 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka march with supporters from Patel Chowk to Parliament Street Police Station on July 20, 2026, demanding strict action over an alleged assault on protester Nishu Azad’s father by Swatantra Bhardwaj during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
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Its distance from central Delhi presents another challenge. Reaching the ground would require protesters travelling from across the Capital to make a longer journey, while demonstrations held there could be farther from the political institutions and public spaces where they seek to draw attention to their demands.
For this reason, during the 2020–21 farmers’ agitation, farmer unions rejected the government’s proposal to shift their demonstration to Burari, describing the site as an “open jail”.
The Delhi Police said revised standard operating procedures for the three venues, detailing how demonstrations would be organised under the new arrangement, would be issued.
Published – October 18, 2026 06:33 am IST
