Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Nadda Delays Upper-Caste Protest as Reservation Tensions Persist
A group representing some upper-caste people planned a protest in Delhi.
They want job and education reservations to be based on family income instead of caste.
They also want new rules against caste discrimination at universities withdrawn.
Health minister J.P. Nadda met the group and asked it to delay its protest.
The group agreed to postpone the event while more talks are planned.
The Supreme Court has already stopped the university rules from taking effect for now.
The government says it is reconsidering the rules but has not withdrawn them.
Groups representing OBC, Dalit and tribal communities oppose weakening reservation protections.
Some other protesters are angry that the government spoke to only one group.
Health minister J.P. Nadda persuaded the Kshatriya Karni Sena to postpone its September 20, 2026, protest at Jantar Mantar.
The group wants caste-based reservations replaced with economically based reservations and seeks withdrawal of new University Grants Commission equity rules.
Nadda said the government would consider the delegation’s concerns and hold another meeting within three weeks.
The Supreme Court stayed implementation of the UGC regulations in January, while the Centre said in August that it was reconsidering them.
Other anti-reservation activists accused the government of selectively engaging with groups and failing to address the broader movement.
- Who
- Health minister J.P. Nadda, Raj Shekhawat’s Kshatriya Karni Sena delegation, and other upper-caste and anti-reservation groups.
- What
- The government persuaded an upper-caste group to postpone a protest while promising further discussions about reservations and University Grants Commission regulations.
- When
- The meeting took place late Saturday night or early Sunday; the proposed protest was scheduled for September 20, 2026, with another meeting promised within three weeks.
- Where
- The meeting was held at J.P. Nadda’s residence, while the postponed protest was planned for Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- Why
- The government sought to address upper-caste objections and contain political discontent ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Government and reservation-protection groups
Upper-caste anti-reservation groups
Reservation policy
Government and reservation-protection groups
The government has not agreed to replace caste-based reservations, while OBC, Dalit and tribal groups have warned against diluting reservation safeguards.
Upper-caste anti-reservation groups
Upper-caste groups want caste-based reservations replaced with economically based reservations.
University caste-bias regulations
Government and reservation-protection groups
The regulations extend formal protections against caste discrimination to OBC students, while the Centre has said it is reconsidering them and the Supreme Court has stayed their implementation.
Upper-caste anti-reservation groups
Upper-caste protesters say the rules discriminate against them and demand their complete withdrawal.
Government talks
Government and reservation-protection groups
J.P. Nadda says the government discussed the concerns cordially and will give them due consideration in further meetings.
Upper-caste anti-reservation groups
Other anti-reservation activists say selective talks are intended to split the movement and criticize the government for not holding promised follow-up discussions with Harsh Dubey’s group.
- Protest organiser
- Kshatriya Karni Sena, led in the delegation by Raj Shekhawat
- Protest venue
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest status
- Postponed after the government proposed further talks
- Main demand
- Replace caste-based reservations with reservations based on economic criteria
- University rules
- The protesters want the University Grants Commission’s new caste-bias regulations withdrawn
- Court action
- The Supreme Court stayed implementation of the regulations in January
- Government position
- The Centre said in August that it was reconsidering the regulations