Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Delhi Police Deny Permission for Reservation Protest Amid Viral Videos
Videos online said that a large protest about reservations had been approved in Delhi.
The Delhi Police said those videos were false or misleading.
Police said no one had permission to hold the protest at Shah Auditorium or Jantar Mantar on August 23, 2026.
They also said no such protest was taking place at Jantar Mantar on that date.
Rules under Section 163 of the BNSS were already in force.
These rules prohibit marches, demonstrations and groups of five or more people in the affected area.
Police asked people not to spread unverified posts and warned that legal action could follow.
Earlier, Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters had gathered to demand quotas based on income instead of caste and changes to the reservation system.
Delhi Police said viral posts claiming approval for a reservation protest were false and misleading.
Police said no organisation or individual had permission to hold a protest at Shah Auditorium or Jantar Mantar on August 23, 2026.
Section 163 of the BNSS prohibits marches, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more people in the stated district.
Authorities urged people not to gather or share unverified content and warned of possible legal action over misinformation.
Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters had earlier gathered at Jantar Mantar seeking income-based quotas and withdrawal of the UGC’s 2026 equity directives.
- Who
- Delhi Police, Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters, and people responding to social-media calls for a protest.
- What
- Police denied granting permission for an anti-reservation demonstration and warned that online claims about an approved gathering were misleading.
- When
- The police clarification and heightened security occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2026; an earlier gathering took place on the preceding Friday.
- Where
- Shah Auditorium and Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Why
- Police cited misleading online posts, existing assembly restrictions and public-order concerns; protesters sought changes to caste-based reservation policies.
Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters
Delhi Police
Reservation criteria
Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters
Protesters called for quotas in education and employment to be based on income rather than caste or social identity, along with a broader review of the system.
Delhi Police
Police did not take a position on reservation policy; their statements focused on permissions, public safety and enforcement of restrictions.
August 23 gathering
Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters
Social-media posts called on people to assemble at Jantar Mantar and claimed or implied that permission had been granted.
Delhi Police
Police said no permission had been issued, said the circulating claims were false or misleading, and advised citizens not to gather.
UGC equity directives
Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters
Protesters demanded immediate withdrawal of the UGC’s 2026 caste-equity or draft equity directives and supported a one-family-one-reservation policy.
Delhi Police
Police addressed whether the gathering was authorised rather than the substance of the protesters’ demands.
- Police position
- No permission was granted to any individual or organisation for a reservation-related protest at Shah Auditorium or Jantar Mantar on August 23, 2026.
- Online claims
- Videos and posts circulated on social media claiming that authorities had approved a large demonstration.
- Legal restriction
- Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, formerly Section 144 of the CrPC, were reported as being in force.
- Restricted activities
- Marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more people were prohibited.
- Police warning
- Authorities urged people not to forward unverified content and warned of possible legal action against those creating or disseminating misleading information.
- Earlier gathering
- A large gathering, described in one report as involving hundreds, took place at Jantar Mantar under the banner of Reservation Hatao Andolan.
- Protest demands
- Participants sought income-based quotas, a one-family-one-reservation policy and withdrawal of the UGC’s 2026 caste-equity or draft equity directives.
- Geographic discrepancy
- Reports variously described the Section 163 restrictions as applying across New Delhi District or North District.
