The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday strongly objected to observations made by the Delhi High Court regarding the use of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue, saying it would oppose any move to take away the centrally located site as a space for peaceful demonstrations.
Responding to the remarks, CJP said Jantar Mantar should continue to remain available for citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The debate over Jantar Mantar's status as a protest venue comes weeks after Delhi Police described it as a designated location where demonstrations could be conducted after obtaining prior permission.
The latest controversy arose while the Delhi High Court was hearing a petition seeking permission to stage a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar on August 10 in support of extending Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians.
According to the petitioner, the proposed demonstration would not involve a march, overnight tents, hunger strike or occupation of public roads. It said its request had yet to receive a decision.
The dispute also comes against the backdrop of clashes during a CJP-led demonstration on July 20.