From NEET protests to Reservation Hatao Andolan, Jantar Mantar sees another major mobilisation

A large number of protesters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Aug 21 under the banner of the Reservation Hatao Andolan, demanding changes to the country’s reservation system and opposing the now-stayed University Grants Commission (UGC) equity regulations.

More than 50 protesters were detained by Delhi Police after several participants remained at the site beyond the permitted time.

The demonstration was organised under the banner of the social media-driven Reservation Hatao Andolan. The protest was led by NEET aspirant Harsh Dubey and joined by Rajasthan-based General Sena, Chanakya Sena and Karni Sena. Influencer Ajeet Bharti was also present at the gathering.

The protesters said they wanted reservation benefits to reach those who needed them and argued that economic circumstances should be considered instead of caste as the basis for reservation.

Some participants also called for a review of the existing system and questioned differences in access to educational institutions, government jobs, scholarships and welfare schemes among people with similar economic circumstances but different caste backgrounds.

Among the demands raised at the protest was a rollback of the UGC roster system. Protesters also called for a time limit, or sunset clause, for reservation and some advocated a “one family, one reservation, one time” approach, under which reservation benefits would not continue across generations within the same family after one member had benefited.

Some protesters also called for caste identity to be removed from public life and raised the slogan “one nation, one identity”.

Others raised concerns about differences in age limits and the number of attempts available to candidates from different categories in recruitment examinations including the UPSC, SSC, railway and banking examinations.

The demonstration also saw calls for withdrawal of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Some protesters argued that laws should not be misused against anyone and called for steps to prevent such misuse.

The protest was accompanied by a dispute over the venue and police permission. Delhi Police had issued an NOC for a peaceful demonstration at Ramlila Ground, with permission for up to 500 participants until 4 pm.

Protesters, however, gathered at Jantar Mantar and insisted on holding the demonstration there. India Today reported that permission was later granted for the demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

At Jantar Mantar, protesters said they would remain there until they could submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Harsh Dubey said the memorandum would seek reforms aimed at ensuring that reservation benefits reach those who need them.

By afternoon, protesters had gathered behind police barricades, carrying placards and raising slogans including a demand that reservation be provided to economically disadvantaged people rather than on the basis of caste.

The gathering took place amid a heavy security presence, with Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police deployed around the site.

The situation escalated around 7.30 p.m. when several protesters who remained at Jantar Mantar after the permitted 4 p.m. deadline began raising slogans.

Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force were deployed in greater numbers, and more than 50 protesters were detained. Police said most participants had left after the demonstration ended, while those who remained were asked repeatedly to disperse. The site was subsequently cleared.

The demonstration also affected traffic in central Delhi. Restrictions were imposed on Sansad Marg, while diversions were put in place on Tolstoy Road and Ashoka Road. Traffic pressure was reported on stretches including KG Marg near Connaught Place, Barakhamba Road and Janpath Road.

The Jantar Mantar mobilisation followed weeks of online campaigning around reservation reforms and opposition to the UGC equity regulations. According to media reports, similar demonstrations had earlier taken place in Nagpur, Lucknow, Jaipur and Visakhapatnam.