The 2.5 km stretch between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan was barricaded for traffic. This was also done keeping Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to Prime MInister Manmohan Singh's Race Course Road residence in the morning and then for a series of meetings at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Even journalists were denied access to India Gate, a World War I monument in the heart of the capital.
Pushed out of the India Gate protest site, protesters then moved to Jantar Mantar, the 18th century astronomical observatory, which has now become a popular protest site.
The crowds at Jantar Mantar—swelling by the hour—included school and college students, people from the neighbourhood, and members of women's groups and NGOs.
Protestors also condemned the government's move to shut nine Delhi Metro stations to stop them from coming to India Gate.
“Metro is a public property and government has no right to stop its services. Prime minister has made very hollow assurances and we will continue with our protests till any concrete steps are not taken,” said Kavitha Krishnan, secretary of All India Progressive Women Association.
She demanded that government should call a special session of parliament and talk on sexual assault bill, honour crime and police accountability issues.
