The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has challenged the Delhi Police’s decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues, seeking permission to hold a peaceful demonstration at the site and raising concerns over restrictions on public assemblies in the national capital.In a letter dated October 12 addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police at Parliament Street Police Station, CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka requested the authorities to allot a date and time for their proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The letter carries a receipt stamp from the police station dated the same day.The challenge follows Delhi Police Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026, issued on October 11, which de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue based on recommendations from a committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The order named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative locations for protests and demonstrations. Detailed standard operating procedures for the new venues are expected to be issued separately.Reacting to the decision, CJP co-convener Saurav Das questioned the move, alleging that it restricted citizens’ democratic rights and their freedom to assemble peacefully. In a social media post, he remarked, “Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar ban raha he!”In their letter, the CJP leaders also expressed concern over security arrangements across Delhi over the preceding three days. They alleged that extensive security deployment, road closures and barricading had disrupted normal life in several parts of the capital.The letter claimed that more than 55,000 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed across Delhi. It further alleged that citizens, passersby and journalists had faced arbitrary detentions, physical aggression and prolonged custody. The leaders also claimed that local businesses had been compelled to remain closed for consecutive days, causing financial losses and inconvenience to the public. These allegations could not be independently verified from the material available.The CJP leaders urged the police to scale back the security deployment, end what they described as arbitrary detentions and harassment of independent journalists, and allow their proposed peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar.The police order redirects demonstrations to three alternative grounds, while the CJP’s request seeks permission to continue using Jantar Mantar as a venue for peaceful protest. The status of the party’s request remained unclear in the information available.