Delhi Police proposes new rules for Ramlila Maidan protests
The draft Standard Operating Procedure suggests a 50,000-person limit and a permitted time window of 10 am to 5 pm.
Delhi Police has proposed a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate protests and public gatherings at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi. According to reports by The Pioneer, Deccan Chronicle and Urban Acres, the draft includes a maximum attendance of 50,000 people and restricts event timings to between 10 am and 5 pm.
A senior police officer told ANI that the guidelines are currently in an initial stage and have been sent to the Delhi Police Headquarters for approval. The rules will only take effect once they are finalised and cleared by the competent authorities.
Under the proposed framework, organisers must first secure clearance from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to confirm the venue is available. They must then seek police permission, which should typically be requested at least 10 days before the scheduled event.
The draft places responsibility for crowd management on organisers, who must coordinate with traffic authorities. This includes arranging parking, setting designated drop-off points, and ensuring that emergency access routes and roads remain unobstructed.
Security measures in the draft prohibit firearms, swords, spears, and other sharp objects. Additionally, drone operations near the venue will require prior authorisation.
Organisers would also be required to provide essential services such as medical assistance, drinking water, sanitation facilities, and waste disposal. The proposal follows a previous order on October 11 that removed Jantar Mantar as a protest site, naming Ramlila Maidan as an alternative location.