Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Over 20 Detained as 300 Protest Reservation Reforms in Delhi
About 300 people gathered in Delhi to ask for changes to the reservation system.
Reservation gives certain communities support in education, jobs and other areas.
The protesters said a person’s economic situation should matter more, no matter their caste.
They said they were not asking to remove reservation completely.
They wanted a creamy-layer rule and reviews of several related policies.
Police said the Connaught Place gathering did not have permission.
Officers cleared the area and detained more than 20 people.
The protest was connected to an online campaign called Reservation Hatao Andolan.
Around 300 people gathered at Connaught Place’s outer circle on Sunday to demand reforms to caste-based reservation.
Police detained more than 20 protesters, saying the gathering had not received permission, and cleared the site.
Protesters called for economic disadvantage to receive greater weight in access to reservation and government support, regardless of caste.
Demands included a creamy-layer criterion and reviews of policies affecting Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
The protest followed online mobilisation by Reservation Hatao Andolan and related gatherings at Jantar Mantar and Ramlila Ground.
- Who
- Around 300 protesters associated with Reservation Hatao Andolan; Delhi Police detained more than 20 people.
- What
- A demonstration demanding reforms to India’s caste-based reservation system and greater consideration of economic conditions.
- When
- Sunday, August 23, 2026; a related Jantar Mantar gathering took place two days earlier.
- Where
- Connaught Place’s outer circle in Delhi; related events occurred at Jantar Mantar and Ramlila Ground.
- Why
- Protesters said economically disadvantaged people across communities should receive greater consideration and called for broader reviews of reservation-related policies.
Protesters’ Reform Demands
Police and Authorisation Process
Basis for support
Protesters’ Reform Demands
Protesters argued that economic hardship affects people across communities and that reservation or government assistance should reach financially disadvantaged people irrespective of caste.
Police and Authorisation Process
The articles do not report an official endorsement or rejection of the protesters’ proposed economic criteria; police focused on enforcing gathering restrictions.
Extent of change
Protesters’ Reform Demands
Participants said they were not against reservation and wanted reforms, including a creamy-layer provision and reviews of related policies.
Police and Authorisation Process
Police cleared the Connaught Place gathering and detained more than 20 people because officials said it had not been authorised.
Where protests could occur
Protesters’ Reform Demands
The campaign encouraged supporters to move from online mobilisation to physical demonstrations, including gatherings at Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar.
Police and Authorisation Process
Police said gatherings of five or more people were prohibited in New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita; a separate event at Ramlila Ground had received approval for up to 500 participants until 4 pm.
- Gathering size
- Around 300 people at Connaught Place
- Detentions
- More than 20 protesters
- Police position
- The Connaught Place demonstration was unauthorised because no permission had been granted
- Main demand
- Greater emphasis on economic conditions in reservation and government assistance
- Additional demands
- A creamy-layer criterion and reviews involving Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, the University Grants Commission framework and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Campaign
- Reservation Hatao Andolan, an Instagram-based page with around 5.6 million followers
- Related gatherings
- A Jantar Mantar protest occurred two days earlier; an approved Ramlila Ground event allowed up to 500 participants until 4 pm
Sources
Several detained in Delhi's Connaught Place as 300 gather for anti-reservation protest - VIDEO
Hundreds Gather For Anti-Reservation Protest In Delhi's Connaught Place, Several Detained As Police Say ‘No Permission’
‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’: Over 20 Detained As Hundreds Protest Quota System In Delhi
