Delhi’s historic Ramlila Maidan, long associated with major political rallies and public agitations, recorded just four bookings for protests and demonstrations between January 2024 and September 2026, according to data from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
The ground, which has hosted several landmark political gatherings over the decades, was booked 27 times during the period, with nine bookings for political rallies and public meetings. The figures come amid a change in Delhi’s protest landscape, with authorities designating alternative venues for demonstrations after restrictions were imposed at Jantar Mantar.
According to the MCD data, the four bookings categorised as peaceful protests included applications by LIC agents in March
2025 and the Shikshak Shikshika Adhikar Manch in July 2025, among others.
Which Political Parties Booked Ramlila Maidan?
Political parties accounted for several of the bookings recorded over the three-year period. According to the MCD report, the People’s Party of India, Communist Party of India, Akhil Bharatiya Bishnoi Mahasabha and National Conference booked the ground for political rallies. The Aam Aadmi Party booked the venue once in March 2024, while the All India Congress Committee booked it once in December 2025.
Why Is Ramlila Maidan Important For Delhi’s Protest Landscape?
Ramlila Maidan has played a prominent role in India’s political history, hosting major public gatherings and rallies over several decades. Among its notable events were gatherings addressed by former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956 and 1957, as well as the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare.
Located around 4 km from Jantar Mantar, the ground is the closest of three newly designated protest venues to Lutyens’ Delhi. Under existing standard operating procedures for agitations and demonstrations in the national capital, protests expected to draw between 1,000 and 50,000 people are supposed to be held at Ramlila Maidan.
How Much Does It Cost To Book Ramlila Maidan?
Booking the venue reportedly involves a fee of Rs 50,000 per day and a refundable security deposit of Rs 55,000. Applicants must also obtain a no-objection certificate from the Delhi Traffic Police before using the ground. The booking requirements could pose a challenge for smaller groups that do not need an entire large venue for their demonstrations.
The MCD manages the 10-acre ground, with half of the area used for parking and the remaining portion currently booked for the upcoming Ramlila fair. The venue’s availability is also expected to remain limited during the festive season.
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