Spatial Language of Dissent in New Delhi: Public Space, Protests, and the National Capital (c. 1947–2022)

New Delhi's public spaces, particularly around Parliament Street and sites like Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, and the Boat Club, have evolved through decades of protest, shaping democratic guidelines for dissent. The study reveals that while early post-independence enthusiasm for a shared public sphere was met with diverse opposition, government responses transitioned from colonial crowd control to democratic containment strategies. Key demonstrations, such as the JP Movement at Jantar Mantar, led to the designation of specific protest sites, illustrating how spatial contestations between state and citizens redefined public space use. The research bridges spatial and socio-cultural theories to analyze these dynamics beyond architectural grandeur.

KAUR, H. (2023). Spatial Language of Dissent in New Delhi: Public Space, Protests, and the National Capital (c. 1947–2022). The Journal of Indian and Asian Studies, 04(01). https://doi.org/10.1142/s2717541323500031