New Delhi: The INDIA alliance is holding a major rally today at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. Through this event, opposition parties that have been alleging irregularities in the electoral process are targeting the Election Commission and the government. The opposition has titled this rally “Save the Vote, Save the Nation” (Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao). Various political parties from across the country, including the Congress, are participating.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have also arrived in Delhi. Did you know that the Ramlila Maidan, where this mega-rally is taking place, must be booked for holding demonstrations? How much does it cost to book this ground? If you would like to know, please read the article below.
What is the cost of holding a demonstration?
There has been a significant recent change regarding designated protest sites in the national capital, Delhi. The Delhi Police has “de-notified” Jantar Mantar as an authorised protest venue; it will no longer serve as a designated site for demonstrations as it once did. In its place, the Delhi Police has identified three new locations.
These include Ramlila Maidan, the Burari Ground in North Delhi, and the CBD Ground in East Delhi. Focusing on Ramlila Maidan, there are two types of spaces available for demonstrations: one for which no rent is charged, and another that requires a formal booking for large-scale events.
Where can you hold a demonstration for free?
The very name “Ramlila Maidan” brings to mind a vast ground capable of accommodating thousands of people. However, the entire ground is not available for free use. According to municipal corporation officials, there is a small section of the ground where no rent is charged for holding demonstrations or meetings. This free space has a limited capacity; it can accommodate only about 150 people at a time. If an organisation or group wishes to hold a small gathering or a demonstration with a limited number of participants, they can utilise this space.
What is the rental cost for a crowd of 50,000 people?
If an organisation intends to hold a large-scale demonstration not with 150 people, but with 5,000 or 10,000 or plans to organise a rally for approximately 50,000 people, a small section of the venue will not suffice. In such a case, it would be necessary to book a larger portion of the Ramlila Maidan. Spanning approximately 12 acres, this ground has the capacity to accommodate around 50,000 people; however, using it entails certain costs.
According to officials, the rental fee for booking the larger area of the ground is ₹50,000 per day. Additionally, a security deposit of ₹55,000 is required. This security deposit is refundable.
