India
Central Park Shut Ahead of Anti-CEC Protest in Delhi; Jantar Mantar De-notified
New Delhi Municipal Council cited 'administrative reasons' for closing Connaught Place's Central Park, prompting questions from protest organisers.
New Delhi's Central Park in Connaught Place has been closed for two days, with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) citing 'administrative reasons' for the measure. The closure precedes a planned 'Tiranga march' (tricolour march) against the Chief Election Commissioner, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, scheduled for October 16.
Mr. Dipke publicly questioned the timing and rationale behind the park's closure, asking why Prime Minister Modi was perceived to be 'shutting down Delhi to protect one man'. The planned protest had previously been the subject of legal scrutiny, with the Delhi High Court declining to issue an order to block the event. Following the court's decision, Delhi Police provided assurances that they would maintain vigilance during the march.
The closure of Central Park comes amidst broader changes to protest regulations in the capital. The Delhi Police recently de-notified Jantar Mantar, a prominent location historically associated with public demonstrations, as a designated protest site. This decision effectively ends its long-standing status as a key venue for dissent in India's capital.
In a related development, Mr. Dipke was involved in a social media exchange with American singer Mary Millben. The dispute centred on claims made by Ms. Millben regarding the CJP's alleged receipt of funding from American donors, a point of contention amid the ongoing preparations for the anti-CEC demonstration.
Reporting by the The Indian Morning Post Editorial Desk.
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