Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya Shinde on Tuesday after they tried to enter Jantar Mantar, recently denotified as a protest site.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the activists had assembled at the place in the early hours of the day before the police detained them along with others.
In a post on X, Dipke said, "Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police." He named Ranka, Das and Shinde as those picked up by the police and said, "You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi."
Ranka also criticised the decision and tweeted, “Hands Off Jantar Mantar.”
CJP founder criticises denotification of protest venue
Dipke criticised the decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a venue for protests and demonstrations, saying it would not stop people from raising their voices against the government.
The CJP leader said the move was an attempt to clamp down on dissent and warned that Jantar Mantar was more than a location for protests.
According to Dipke, Jantar Mantar had acquired greater significance as a protest venue and its denotification would not dilute the spirit of resistance among people.
The detention of CJP activists comes a day after Delhi Police decided to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of places authorised for protests and demonstrations.
Jairam Ramesh accuses Centre of trying to stifle dissent
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the move, saying it was an attempt by the Centre to stifle dissent and curb freedom of speech and expression.
In a post on X, Ramesh said the move showed the "extreme panic" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, adding that the historic protest venue would no longer be a regular boost to democratic expression.
He charged the government with being intolerant of peaceful protests and questioned its credentials as a defender of dissent.
Three alternative venues for protests announced
An official notice said Jantar Mantar had been denotified as a venue for protests and demonstrations in Delhi with effect from Monday.
The Delhi Police has named three alternative venues for organising protests and demonstrations - Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had set up a committee to look into alternatives to Jantar Mantar as a venue for protests and demonstrations.
The decision to denotify Jantar Mantar was taken on the recommendation of the committee, which suggested that measures should be taken to ensure the security of citizens while ensuring the right to protest.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition leaders and CJP activists, with the latest detentions highlighting the clamour for designated protest venues in the capital.