Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Delhi Police Detain Anti-Reservation Protesters at Jantar Mantar
Many people gathered in Delhi to ask for changes to the reservation system.
They said a person’s financial situation should matter when deciding who receives help.
They also asked for a review of existing reservation rules and raised concerns about some laws and university policies.
The protest was organised through social media by the Reservation Hatao Andolan campaign.
Police said the group did not have permission to gather at Jantar Mantar.
Police said a smaller protest had been approved at Ramlila Ground instead.
Organisers said they wanted to stay at Jantar Mantar and submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Police put up barricades and brought in extra security forces.
Several protesters were detained, while an allegation about internet jammers could not be independently verified.
Several protesters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for an anti-reservation demonstration and were detained by police.
Protesters demanded that economic disadvantage, rather than caste alone, guide access to government support and reservation benefits.
Police said permission was granted only for up to 500 people at Ramlila Ground until 4 pm, not for a Jantar Mantar gathering.
Organisers and protesters disputed the venue issue, with one report saying permission was later granted for Jantar Mantar.
Security was tightened with barricades, Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and Rapid Action Force personnel deployed around the site.
- Who
- Protesters associated with Reservation Hatao Andolan and other groups, including the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha, General Sena, Chanakya Sena and Karni Sena; Delhi Police detained several participants.
- What
- A large anti-reservation demonstration calling for economic criteria, changes to the reservation system and opposition to University Grants Commission equity regulations.
- When
- Friday; the campaign had appealed for a physical demonstration at Jantar Mantar on August 21.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar in New Delhi; police identified Ramlila Ground as the approved alternative venue.
- Why
- Protesters sought to direct government support and reservation benefits toward people they considered economically disadvantaged, while police cited a dispute over permission for the gathering.
Protesters and organisers
Delhi Police and official position
Reservation criteria
Protesters and organisers
Protesters argued that economic circumstances should take precedence over caste and that assistance should reach poor people regardless of caste, including through scholarships, fee support and coaching.
Delhi Police and official position
The reported police statements focused on regulating the gathering and did not take a position on the protesters’ reservation-policy demands.
Policy review
Protesters and organisers
Participants called for a review of the existing reservation system, including possible creamy-layer criteria and changes involving Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. They also opposed the University Grants Commission equity regulations and raised concerns about the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Delhi Police and official position
The reported official position did not address these policy demands.
Permission and venue
Protesters and organisers
Organisers insisted on demonstrating at Jantar Mantar, said participants had been directed or diverted to Ramlila Ground, and maintained that permission was later granted for Jantar Mantar, according to one report.
Delhi Police and official position
Delhi Police said no permission had been granted for a protest, procession, demonstration or assembly at Jantar Mantar, while an NOC covered a peaceful protest of up to 500 people at Ramlila Ground until 4 pm.
- Organising campaign
- Reservation Hatao Andolan
- Main demand
- Give economic criteria greater weight in government support and reservation eligibility
- Reported action
- Delhi Police detained several protesters
- Police-approved venue
- Ramlila Ground
- Approved limit and time
- Up to 500 people until 4 pm on Friday
- Security deployment
- Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, Rapid Action Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel
- Campaign social-media reach
- The Reservation Hatao Andolan Instagram page had 5.6 million followers
- Internet-jammer allegation
- Protesters made the allegation, but it could not be independently verified
Sources
Delhi Police Detain Anti-Reservation Protesters At Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police detain anti-reservation protesters at Jantar Mantar, say no permission granted
Reservation Hatao Andolan: Delhi Police Detains Anti-Quota Protesters At Jantar Mantar, Cite Lack Of Permission