Protest
‘Reservation for poor, not caste’: Why protesters flooded Delhi’s Jantar Mantar
New Delhi/IBNS: Within a month of the culmination of the NEET paper-leak protests, Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Friday witnessed another major demonstration, this time by protesters opposing caste-based reservations and demanding that economic status be considered the primary criterion for providing reservation benefits, media reports said.
A large group of protesters, mostly men, gathered at Jantar Mantar and raised slogans such as "reservation for the poor, not for caste", demanding that government assistance to students be based on their economic circumstances rather than their caste.
The protesters also opposed the University Grants Commission's (UGC) equity regulations.
What are the protesters demanding?
The protesters called for a review of the existing reservation system, arguing that economic deprivation should be the basis for extending government benefits to students.
They also demanded the repeal of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, arguing that government benefits should reach those they consider most deserving.
Some protesters have also called for a "one family, one reservation" policy and greater scrutiny of beneficiaries who continue to receive quota benefits.
#WATCH | Delhi: A large number of people have gathered in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protesting against caste-based reservation. pic.twitter.com/oFXJfWBquc
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2026
Why did the protest become controversial?
The demonstration was also marked by a dispute over the venue.
Protest organisers claimed that they had initially sought permission to hold the demonstration at Jantar Mantar but were subsequently told that the approved venue was Ramlila Maidan, with permission for up to 500 people.
Despite this, protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Police said permission had not been granted for a demonstration at the location and subsequently detained several protesters.
Heavy police and paramilitary deployment was reported around Jantar Mantar as authorities monitored the gathering and sought to prevent an unauthorised assembly.
Who is participating?
The gathering has attracted participants from several states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Many protesters have described themselves as belonging to the unreserved or general category.
The campaign has also attracted prominent online voices, including YouTuber Ajeet Bharti, who has called for a government white paper on reservation and raised concerns over merit.
The larger reservation debate
The protest comes amid a wider debate in India over caste-based reservation, economic disadvantage, merit and affirmative action.
Supporters of the existing reservation system argue that it is necessary to address historical social discrimination and continuing under-representation of marginalised communities.
The protesters at Jantar Mantar, however, contend that economic deprivation rather than caste should be the primary criterion for government assistance and reservation benefits.
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