Delhi Police is drafting new Ramlila Maidan guidelines that could limit rallies, protests and public meetings at the central Delhi venue to 50,000 participants and restrict events to between 10am and 5pm. The proposed Standard Operating Procedure has been sent to Delhi Police headquarters for approval and is not yet final.
According to a senior police officer cited in the report, the draft aims to bring public gatherings at Ramlila Maidan within a defined framework for safety, security and administration. The proposed measures are intended to regulate the management of large crowds while coordinating access, traffic and emergency movement around the venue.
Under the draft process, organisers would first have to obtain clearance from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on the availability of the ground before seeking permission from Delhi Police. Applications would have to be submitted at least 10 days before the proposed event.
The draft would also place responsibility for crowd management on organisers. This would include coordination with traffic police, arranging parking and identifying drop-off points for participants. Organisers would be required to ensure that surrounding roads and emergency routes remain free of obstructions during the event.
The proposed security provisions include a ban on firearms, swords, spears, sharp objects and other prohibited items. Permission would also be required in advance for flying drones around Ramlila Maidan.
Organisers would additionally be expected to arrange drinking water, medical assistance, sanitation facilities and proper waste disposal. These requirements would make the event organiser responsible not only for entry and crowd control but also for basic services needed during large public gatherings.
The draft SOP comes against the backdrop of Ramlila Maidan’s role as a major venue for political rallies, demonstrations and public meetings in the capital. Any crowd limit or operating window at the ground would affect how organisers plan event size, transport access, security arrangements and public amenities. However, the report does not specify how the proposed 50,000-person limit would be assessed or enforced.
The proposed guidelines remain at an initial stage. The draft is currently being examined by the competent authorities, and the SOP will take effect only after it receives the required approvals. Until then, the proposed crowd limit, event timing and application requirements do not constitute final rules.
