Protesters on Saturday organised a ‘Reclaim Jantar Mantar’ march, demanding that the iconic location be restored as an officially designated site for demonstrations after the Union government de-notified it for protests on October 12.

Several protesters were detained by the Delhi Police during this march.

The development comes against the backdrop of ongoing demonstrations in the national capital against the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Following the de-notification of Jantar Mantar, three new locations in Delhi — Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and Central Business District (CBD) Ground in East Delhi — have been designated for holding protests.

Carrying banners and raising slogans, the demonstrators demanded that Jantar Mantar be redesignated as the official protest site.

They also raised slogans against the ECI and called for the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls.

A protester, speaking to media, said, “We want to convey that ever since the sit-in protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar started on October 2, the Union government has been continuously detaining people who step out onto the streets and try to reach Jantar Mantar. Attempts are being made to brutally detain them, and women are being mistreated. We are not going to tolerate this.”

“In a democracy, there is freedom to raise one’s voice, and if it is indeed a democracy, the government should not be afraid. Jantar Mantar should be handed back to the people so that democratic voices can be raised from there,” the protester added.

Another demonstrator, speaking to media, said, “We are marching towards Jantar Mantar to reclaim it. The government’s wilfulness will not work on us. This is not fair. Jantar Mantar should be the designated protesting site.”

A third protester alleged that the decision to de-notify the site was linked to the growing demonstrations against the CEC.

“As soon as the protests against the CEC gained momentum, Jantar Mantar was de-notified as the designated protesting site. This is just one of the government’s tactics. We will not go to Burari Ground or the Ramlila Ground. We want to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar and reclaim it,” the protester told media.

Another demonstrator asserted that the protesters would continue their agitation despite the possibility of detention or police action.

“Even if we are detained, or we face cane charge, we will not stop and continue with our protest,” the protester said.

Earlier, several demonstrators, including student activists, were detained while attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were also detained earlier this week on charges of trespassing at Jantar Mantar.

Shinde was subsequently released on a bail bond, while Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. Both are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

Meanwhile, security arrangements around Jantar Mantar have remained in place amid continuing attempts by protesters to reach the area.

Barricades were seen blocking roads leading to the site, while police personnel remained deployed at key intersections to regulate the movement of people and prevent unauthorised gatherings.

BJP National President Nitin Nabin arrived in Patna on Saturday for a two-day visit, during which he will participate in party organisational meetings and Durga Puja celebrations. His visit comes amid preparations for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council elections.

Party leaders and workers welcomed him at the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, Patna.

Discussions during his stay are expected to focus on electoral preparations, organisational coordination and the BJP’s upcoming programmes.

During his visit, Nabin is expected to meet senior BJP leaders and office-bearers to discuss the party’s organisational activities and MLC election strategy.

He may also meet Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi.

However, a detailed official schedule for the proposed meetings has not been released.

Alongside his political engagements, Nitin Nabin is scheduled to visit Durga Puja pandals across Patna and offer prayers to Goddess Durga.

According to the programme schedule, he will visit the Durga Puja pandal at Dak Bungalow Chauraha on Saturday.

His visit has generated interest among local puja organisers and BJP workers.

With Durga Puja celebrations underway across the capital, several committees are organising religious and cultural programmes, making pandal visits a key part of the itinerary.

Nabin’s two-day stay is expected to include discussions on strengthening the party organisation and coordinating preparations for the Legislative Council elections.

The outcomes of the meetings, however, will become clearer once the party shares details of any decisions or announcements.

His visit combines organisational engagements with participation in the ongoing Durga Puja festivities in Patna.

Preparations for the upcoming Legislative Council (MLC) elections are among the key priorities of his visit.

The BJP is contesting four of the eight MLC seats. Polling for the elections will be held on October 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the counting of votes and announcement of results are scheduled for October 27.

One person was killed and another seriously injured after a luxury SUV and a motorcycle collided head-on at Anandapur Crossing on the southern outskirts of Kolkata early on Saturday, officials said.

The motorcycle rider died in the accident, while the pillion rider was admitted to a private hospital in a critical condition.

According to the police, the accident occurred around 4.30 a.m. at the intersection of Chaubaga Road and Anandapur Road, one of the busiest junctions in the city.

Additional Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Detective Department) Kunal Agarwal confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the incident.

Preliminary investigations revealed that two youths riding a motorcycle were travelling from south to north along Chaubaga Road. As they approached the crossing, they attempted to turn towards Anandapur Road.

At the same time, a black luxury SUV was approaching from the opposite direction. The motorcycle and the SUV collided head-on as the two-wheeler was negotiating the turn.

The impact was so severe that both occupants of the motorcycle were thrown onto the road, suffering serious injuries.

The motorcycle rider, identified as Pratyush Panai, 30, was rushed to NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The pillion rider, Prasun Kumar, 27, sustained critical injuries and has been admitted to a private hospital near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. Prasun, a resident of Gandhinagar in Jharkhand’s Godda district, is the son of Sushil Pandit. He is reportedly a student of the local Meghnad Saha Institute.

The police said preliminary findings suggested that neither of the two motorcycle occupants was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Investigators suspect that the injured pillion rider or the motorcycle rider sustained a severe head injury in the collision.

The initial investigation also indicated that both motorcycle occupants may have been intoxicated when the accident occurred. The police are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash to establish the sequence of events and determine responsibility.

The SUV driver allegedly abandoned the vehicle at the accident site and fled under the cover of darkness immediately after the accident.

The police seized both the SUV and the damaged motorcycle. Investigators are attempting to identify the absconding driver using the vehicle’s registration number and ownership records.

CCTV footage from cameras installed around Anandapur Crossing is also being collected and examined to reconstruct the accident and establish how the collision occurred. Further investigation is underway.