HC questions Delhi Police over refusal to permit UGC-related protest at Jantar Mantar

The high court questioned the Delhi Police on Thursday over its decision to deny permission to the Kshatriya Karni Sena to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar against the 2026 UGC regulations and sought its stand on allowing an alternative site for a peaceful agitation.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, while hearing a petition by Kshatriya Karni Sena president Raj Shekhawat, was told by the petitioner's lawyer that the Delhi Police has revoked its earlier approval on holding the protest at Jantar Mantar on September 20.

"I am asking the State, how can there be a blanket ban? If you want to put any restrictions, including the venue, please tell me," the judge said.

Police cites sensitive location, social media concerns

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said no permission is being given for protests at Jantar Mantar as the venue is in a "sensitive area".

He added that besides space, concerns over the amount of "likes and social media dissemination and engagement" also weighed with the executive while making a decision in the case.

The law officer assured the judge that authorities are acting according to the applicable standing orders and guidelines of the Supreme Court.

Court asks police to suggest alternative venue

Justice Sharma, however, observed that while asking police to decide on the petitioner's request for permission, the court had "clearly" said earlier that restrictions could be imposed for approving the request as the protest was only scheduled for a few hours, with no plan of the protesters to proceed anywhere else.

"Can this kind of an order be passed? Just because you are apprehending that some persons can come? How can you refuse them? If you do not want them to protest at Jantar Mantar, then suggest some other place," the court said.

Sharma said he would come back with instructions on providing an alternative protest site.

Case listed for September 22

The court listed the case for hearing on September 22.

On September 7, the court had directed the Delhi Police to decide within a week on Shekhawat's plea seeking permission to hold a protest opposing the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, at Jantar Mantar.

Shekhawat's counsel had earlier said the peaceful protest was proposed for the purpose of "expressing views and grievances concerning reservation policies and matters relating to the new UGC framework".