Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Delhi Police Denies Permission for Reservation Protest at Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police said a protest advertised online did not have official permission.
The proposed gathering was to take place at Jantar Mantar on August 23, 2026.
Police said rules already prevented groups of five or more people from gathering there.
These rules also cover marches, processions and demonstrations.
Police asked people not to trust or share unverified posts and videos.
They warned that people spreading fake or misleading information could face legal action.
A large protest had taken place at Jantar Mantar on the previous Friday.
Those protesters wanted reservation decisions to focus more on income than caste or social identity, while the government said it could discuss their demands if presented systematically.
Delhi Police said no individual or organisation had permission to hold a reservation-reform protest at Jantar Mantar on August 23, 2026.
The warning followed social media posts and videos urging people to assemble at the protest site.
Police said Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita prohibits marches, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more people in New Delhi district.
Authorities urged citizens not to share unverified content and warned of legal action over fake or misleading information.
The warning followed a large Friday protest seeking income-based quotas, a one-family-one-reservation policy and changes to existing reservation directives.
- Who
- Delhi Police, people responding to online protest calls, Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters and Union Minister Chirag Paswan.
- What
- Police warned against an unauthorized reservation-reform gathering at Jantar Mantar and against spreading misleading online content.
- When
- The warning was issued on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a large protest on the previous Friday.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and the New Delhi district of Delhi.
- Why
- Police said no permission had been granted and cited prohibitory orders already in force, while protesters were seeking changes to the reservation system.
Police and Government Position
Protesters’ Reservation Demands
August 23 gathering
Police and Government Position
Delhi Police said no permission had been granted and warned people not to assemble based on social media posts or videos while prohibitory orders were in force.
Protesters’ Reservation Demands
Online posts and videos called on people to gather at Jantar Mantar, but the reports do not identify an authorised organiser for that proposed event.
Basis for reservation
Police and Government Position
Police focused on public-order restrictions and did not take a position on the protesters’ reservation demands. Chirag Paswan said the government could discuss the demands if they were presented systematically.
Protesters’ Reservation Demands
Reservation Hatao Andolan supporters called for economic criteria to take precedence over caste or social identity in determining eligibility for government support and reservation.
Policy changes
Police and Government Position
Paswan said the government had already introduced 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections and cautioned that misunderstandings about reservation could cause anger.
Protesters’ Reservation Demands
Protesters sought a one-family-one-reservation policy, a review of the current reservation structure and withdrawal of the University Grants Commission’s 2026 caste-equity directives.
- Proposed gathering
- Social media posts and videos called for people to assemble at Jantar Mantar over reservation reforms on August 23, 2026.
- Permission status
- Delhi Police said no individual or organisation had permission to hold the gathering.
- Applicable restriction
- Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was in force in New Delhi district.
- Assembly rule
- Marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more people were prohibited in the area.
- Police warning
- Authorities advised people not to forward, share or amplify unverified posts and videos.
- Potential penalty
- Police warned of appropriate legal action against people creating, circulating or disseminating fake or misleading information.
- Protest demands
- Demonstrators sought income-based quotas, a one-family-one-reservation policy and withdrawal of the University Grants Commission's 2026 caste-equity directives.
- Government response
- Chirag Paswan said the government would engage in dialogue after protesters presented their demands systematically and noted the existing 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections.
Sources
No permission for quota reform protest at Jantar Mantar: Police
No Permission for Reservation Reform Protest at Jantar Mantar: Delhi Police
No permission for reservation reform protest at Jantar Mantar: Delhi police
Delhi Police issues warning over anti-reservation protest call at Jantar Mantar; no permission for August 23 gathering
