- Protest against caste-based reservation system at Jantar Mantar.
- .Demonstrators demand review, economic criteria for reservations.
- Delhi Police denied permission, deployed forces, dispersed crowd.
Jagran Correspondent | Delhi: The demonstrations at Jantar Mantar against the current caste-based reservation system are expected to continue on Saturday. On Friday, a significant number of protestors gathered at the site to voice their opposition. In response, Delhi Police and central security forces were deployed to the area to maintain order. The crowd was eventually dispersed by officials late in the evening.
What Happened During The Agitation?
The agitators formally raised objections to the existing caste-based reservation policy, calling for a comprehensive review. Despite the Delhi Police officially denying permission for the gathering, small groups began arriving at Jantar Mantar throughout the day to participate in the proposed protest.
The protest saw participation from members of various social, religious, and ethnic organisations, including the All India Kshatriya Mahasabha and the Karni Sabha. Student activist Harsh Dubey characterized the current system as "discriminatory," asserting that it hinders educational access and opportunities for children from economically weaker sections.
Recommended For You
Mukul Kaushik, representing Meerut, argued that reservations should be determined by economic status rather than caste. Similarly, Ajit Bharti advocated for a periodic review of the system every ten years, noting that benefits often fail to reach the most disadvantaged individuals, as reported by Jagran.com.
Protestor Anil Mishra called for the implementation of the "creamy layer" rule and policy adjustments regarding Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Surjeet Rathore, a student at Delhi University, emphasized that while support for economically weaker sections is necessary, benefits must be targeted toward the truly needy. Additionally, protesters raised questions regarding the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and certain UGC regulations.
Was The Protest Permitted?
Delhi Police clarified on Thursday that no permission had been granted for any protest concerning reservation reforms at Jantar Mantar for August 21. Authorities explicitly labeled social media videos claiming otherwise as "false and misleading."
The police further noted that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), formerly Section 144 of the CrPC, were already in effect across the New Delhi district, rendering the gathering unauthorized.