Ramlila Maidan

The INDIA bloc showcased its strength at Ramlila Maidan with a rally against alleged vote theft, but questions remain over the alliance's unity and its ability to draw wider public support.

Traffic restrictions will be in place across parts of Delhi from 10 am to 5 pm on November 1 in view of an INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, police said. Traffic diversions will be enforced at key intersections in central Delhi, including Netaji Subhash Marg T-point, Rajghat, Delhi Gate, ITO A-point, Ajmeri Gate red light, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Jhandewalan roundabout, Turkman Gate and Mirdard Chowk, depending on the traffic situation, the Delhi Traffic Police said. Commuters are likely to face congestion on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg between ITO and Delhi Gate, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg between Rajghat and Ajmeri Gate, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Minto Road, Desh Bandhu Gupta Road and Barakhamba Road, as well as stretches around Kamla Market and Hamdard Chowk. Additional traffic personnel will be deployed across the Central Range to regulate vehicular movement, guide commuters to designated parking areas and prevent congestion around the venue. A separate passage will be provided near Lok Nay

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday thanked the organisers of a Ramlila event in Delhi for what he called "free publicity" after they announced plans to burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy alongside those of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran. "Thank you for the free publicity," Dipke said in reaction to the development. CJP legal head Ratna Singh also reacted to the controversy, describing it as a "tamasha" (drama). The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the annual event in Pitampura, has said the cockroach effigy is intended to symbolise filth and dirt and promote cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns. Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel has maintained that the decision was not politically motivated and was intended to convey the message of the victory of good over evil while highlighting the importance of cleanliness. The development comes amid protests by the CJP in the national capital. The group initially prote

Opposition parties criticise the move to shift protests away from Jantar Mantar, while leaders march to the Supreme Court against the Election Commission's SIR exercise

Protesting at Ramlila Maidan, one of the three new demonstration sites in Delhi, can become a distant as well as costly affair, as the site has no free dates for the next two and a half months and even then, the booking amount can soar to upwards of Rs 1 lakh. Officials in the know said the 12-acre ground, which can accommodate 50,000 people, can now be booked only for December 29, 30 and 31 this year. "The booking rate for the ground is Rs 50,000 per day, plus a Rs 55,000 security deposit that is refundable. The initial outlay including taxes comes to Rs 1.21 lakh for a day's booking," an official said. Civic officials clarified that a small portion of the ground is free for protests and gatherings, but it has a capacity of only 150 people. The ground is booked through the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's horticulture department, which grants the permission. A no-objection certificate from Delhi Police is mandatory before the civic body clears an application. Delhi Police ...

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced a series of measures to support Ramleela and Durga pandal committees ahead of the festive season. The measures include free electricity, single-window no-objectionable certificates (NOC) and enhanced civic facilities. After meeting representatives of Ramleela committees, Gupta said the Delhi government will provide 1,200 units of free electricity, while meters will be installed on just 25 per cent security deposit. "This is a welcoming and happy news for all the Ramleela and Durga pandal committees," she said. She further said that public amenities such as toilets, security arrangements, healthcare services, ambulances and fire brigades will be ensured at the venues. The government, to ease administrative hurdles, will issue NOCs for various services through a single-window system, eliminating the need for organisers to approach multiple departments. "The Delhi government will also ensure cleanliness in the grounds. A committ

The swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Delhi Chief Minister on February 20 will be attended by Prime Minister Modi and several dignitaries

Delhi's wait for its new chief minister after the assembly polls will end on Wednesday, when the BJP Legislature Party is slated to choose the Leader of the House, even as preparations for the February 20 oath-taking ceremony are in full swing at the historic Ramlila Ground here. Party leaders said the chief minister and the entire Cabinet will take oath at a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister and other dignitaries. A huge crowd is expected at the event and around 40 celebrities have been invited, sources said, adding the ceremony would be held around noon rather than 4.30 pm, as was communicated by party leaders earlier. BJP MP Yogender Chandolia said preparations for the ceremony are in full swing at the Ramlila Ground. "Around 50,000 people, including party workers, RWA, sections of society and saints, will be invited. It will be a grand event in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Cabinet ministers will be present. It will last around

Amid the ongoing controversy around priest Yati Narsinghanand's remarks against Prophet Muhammad, Ittehad-e-Millat Council president Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has said that a big demonstration will be held at Delhi's Ramlila Ground. Khan said "people like Narsinghanand are insulting the Prophet but no action is being taken against him". "After the Dussehra fair, the whole country will come out on the streets of Delhi and there will be a huge demonstration at Ramlila Maidan. Not only people from Bareilly but from the entire country will participate in it," Khan told reporters on Monday night after the 24th foundation day of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC). "Now there will be a big movement instead of dharna or memorandum against the current situation of the country," he added. Khan accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of working only for Sanatan Dharma, while the people of other religions are being discriminated against. He said that derogatory comments are being made against th

Apart from party-organised visits, several diplomats are travelling on their own to get a first-hand experience of election campaigning in the world's largest democracy

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita will attend the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday and read out a message from her husband who is in the Enforcement Directorate custody in connection with an excise policy-linked case, AAP sources said. Top INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are set to attend the rally being held in the backdrop of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest just before the Lok Sabha polls. "Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita will participate in the INDIA bloc's maha rally at Ramlila Maidan. She will read out her husband's message from ED custody. It will be his message for the country," a party source said. The 'Save Democracy' rally -- will also be attended by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength in central Delhi ahead of a rally by INDIA bloc leaders at the Ramlila Maidan here on Sunday, officials said. The Delhi Police has allowed the rally with certain conditions, including no march, no tractor trollies, and no weapons. Top INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, are expected to attend the rally. It is being held in the backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and allegations of misuse of agencies against the opposition by the BJP-led central government. Although the rally has been allowed, prohibitory orders will remain imposed at the DDU Marg, where the offices of political parties are located, an officer said. No march will be allowed from the Ramlila Maidan, he said, adding that strict action will be taken if any violation take place. "We have made elaborate security arrangements so that t

The Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory in view of the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao Rally' on Sunday and said that movement of vehicles in the city would be regulated for six hours on that day. Top INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav will attend the rally at the Ramleela ground on March 31. It is being held in the backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. According to the traffic advisory, traffic movement will be regulated and may be restricted on Ranjeet Singh Flyover from Barakhamba Road to Guru Nanak Chowk, Vivekanand Marg from Minto Road to roundabout Kamla Market, Hamdard Chowk, JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk and Ajmeri Gate, round about Kamla Market to Guru Nanak Chowk and Chaman Lal Marg near VIP Gate, Guru Nanak Chowk to Turkman Gate from 9 am to 3 pm. Traffic diversion may be imposed on Rajghat Chowk, Minto Road, DDU Marg, Mirdard

In a showdown against the BJP by the INDIA bloc, the AAP has ramped up preparations for a "maha rally" at the Ramlila Ground on March 31 in the backdrop of arrest of its leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Many prominent leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc will join the mega rally in which lakhs of people will be present, Delhi unit AAP convener and minister Gopal Rai said in a press conference on Tuesday. Rai said that preparations were underway for the mega rally for which ministers, MLAs and office bearers of the AAP were deployed as observers for monitoring the arrangements. Social organisations, students outfits, traders bodies and resident welfare associations were also being sent invitations to join the rally, he said. Rai said the party office bearers and councillors will hold meetings with the public at all polling stations across Delhi regarding preparations for the rally. The observers will visit each Assembly ...

The traffic advisory will be in place for commuters in Delhi beginning from 6 am on Thursday. Traffic may be diverted from Delhi Gate, Mir Dard Chowk, Ajmeri Gate Chowk, and other key intersections

The protesters said that the party which promises to restore the old pension scheme should be voted to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Employees of central and state government departments will gather at Ramlila Maidan here on August 10 to demand restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, a group of railway union leaders said on Tuesday. The 'Pension Rights Maharally' will be organised under the banner of the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS)/National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), they said. Speaking at a press conference, NJCA national convener and general secretary of All India Railway Men's Federation (AIRF) Shiv Gopal Mishra said the employees who joined government service after January 1, 2004 are strongly opposing the New Pension Scheme (NPS). They are worried about their future after retirement because they "have been deprived of the Old Pension Scheme and forced into the New Pension Scheme", he said. "Due to this, the future and old age support of millions of employees are in jeopardy and this is why we have formed the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS)/NJCA,"

Later in the day a 15-member delegation of SKM also met agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar in the capital and submitted their charter of demands

Thousands of farmers will gather at Ramlila Maidan here on Monday for the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' to press for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price amid heightened security. The Delhi Police has deployed over 2,000 security personnel at the venue. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the event goes smoothly, the police had said on Sunday. The police personnel have also been deployed for crowd management and to ensure that no unauthorised person gains entry and disrupts law and order, they said. According to an advisory by the Delhi Traffic Police, around 15,000-20,000 people are likely to participate in the mahapanchayat. They are expected to start arriving at Ramlila Maidan from Sunday night. The public and motorists have been advised to avoid roads around the Ramlila Maidan, especially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk, a traffic police official said. "The Kisan Mahapanchayat is being held to press for legal guarantee on the

Effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna went up in flames at various places in the national capital during Ramlila celebrations, which were held with great pomp and show and without Covid restrictions on Wednesday. The festivities were low key events in the last two years due to COVID-19. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal participated in the celebrations, which culminated with the burning of the effigies, in separate places. Dhankar and former president Ram Nath Kovind attended the Dussehra celebrations organised by Shri Dharmic Leela Committee near the Red Fort. True to the meaning of "Ram Rajya", demonic and destructive forces are losing today and goodness is prevailing over them, Dhankar said. He said it was his first public programme in Delhi after taking over as the Vice President and that he felt overwhelmed by people's love and affection. The organisers presented him with a mace (gada) and he