Is Jantar Mantar Closed? Delhi Police Reacts to Reports of Welded Barricades After CJP Protest

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has clarified the status of Jantar Mantar after videos and photographs showing barricades being welded at the protest site sparked speculation on social media that the venue had been closed following the recent CJP-led demonstrations.

The rumours surfaced after visuals of workers reinforcing metal barricades near Jantar Mantar went viral, prompting concerns among activists and opposition leaders that access to the designated protest venue had been restricted.

Responding to the reports, Delhi Police said the welding of barricades was part of security and crowd-management measures and should not be interpreted as a permanent closure of Jantar Mantar.

Officials maintained that security arrangements are periodically reviewed based on intelligence inputs, public safety requirements and the law-and-order situation. They added that temporary barricading is a routine measure during or after large public gatherings and does not necessarily affect the legal status of the protest site.

The clarification comes days after the CJP-led student protests over examination reforms and related issues drew large crowds to the national capital. The demonstrations witnessed heightened security deployment, with police imposing restrictions in certain areas to maintain public order.

Following the viral videos, several social media users questioned whether Jantar Mantar—long regarded as one of Delhi's designated venues for public demonstrations—had been permanently shut to protesters. The police denied these claims, urging people not to rely on unverified information circulating online.

Authorities also appealed to citizens to verify information through official channels before sharing or acting upon viral posts. They warned that misleading claims could create unnecessary confusion regarding public access and security arrangements.

Jantar Mantar has historically served as one of the capital's principal locations for peaceful protests and public demonstrations. Over the years, authorities have periodically strengthened security at the site during high-profile agitations, depending on the prevailing law-and-order situation.

While security measures remain in place following the recent protests, Delhi Police reiterated that the viral reports suggesting Jantar Mantar had been permanently closed are incorrect, and any restrictions would continue to be governed by operational and legal requirements.