Cap on crowds exceeding 50,000 at Ramlila Maidan; Delhi Police introduces new rules for rallies and protests

Cap on crowds exceeding 50,000 at Ramlila Maidan; Delhi Police introduces new rules for rallies and protests

Rules governing protests, demonstrations, and rallies at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan are set to change. The Delhi Police has drafted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such events, which includes a cap of 50,000 people allowed at the venue. Protests will only be permitted between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Organizers will be required to submit an application 10 days in advance and provide a ‘venue availability certificate’ from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Additionally, strict regulations have been proposed regarding traffic management, parking, and the maintenance of emergency access routes. This is currently a draft, and feedback will be sought from the relevant departments.