New Delhi
oi-Swastika Sruti
Weeks after the end of CJP (Cockroach Janata Party) protest in Jantar Mantar over the exam irregularities in Indian competitive exams, another protest has reached the grounds of Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Friday (August 21) demanding that reservation and affirmative action be based on economic conditions rather than caste.
On Friday, August 21, the ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ protest at Jantar Mantar demanded economic-based reservation, leading to Delhi Police and RAF detaining protesters. Separately, Rahul Gandhi protested for an FIR over alleged pellet-gun injuries sustained during a CJP demonstration.
The ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ protesters arrived with banners, posters and saffron flags and raised slogans against caste-based reservation. The demonstration was organised following a call from an Instagram-based page named ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’.
The protesters also included members associated with the Karni Sena, according to visuals from the protest site.
Delhi Police Detain Protesters, RAF Deployed
The tension grew when the protesters refused to halt their protest at Jantar Mantar past the stipulated time permitted by Delhi Police.
🚨जंतर-मंतर से Reservation Hatao Andolan के प्रदर्शनकारियों को हटाया जा रहा है और प्रदर्शनकारियों व करणी सेना के सदस्यों को हिरासत में लिया जा रहा है
CJP को 37 दिनों तक प्रदर्शन की अनुमति मिली लेकिन Reservation Hatao Andolan के प्रदर्शनकारियों पर पहले ही दिन कार्रवाई क्यों? pic.twitter.com/goYc5pGu14
— Shubham Singh (@Shubhamsingh038) August 21, 2026
From the information obtained from Delhi Police, the maximum number of people allowed for protest at Ramlila Maidan was 500 up to 4 pm. But the protesters did not accept the relocation and chose to protest at Jantar Mantar.
Since the protest went past the stipulated time, Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) were brought in at the scene. Many protesters were arrested during the process of clearing the area.
From the videos posted online, police personnel could be seen arresting some protesters, while others were seen being removed from the protest area.
Reservation should be abolished.
A Large number of people are gathering at Jantar mantar for the “Reservation hatao aandolan” 🔥
Full support 💪 pic.twitter.com/GiXVHiaUMI
— sunny joshi (@sunnyjoshiii) August 21, 2026
Protesters Continue Demonstration After 4 PM Deadline
Despite the 4 pm deadline mentioned in the police permission, protesters remained at Jantar Mantar. Security was subsequently tightened in the area.
During the demonstration, protesters were also seen reciting the Hanuman Chalisa.
The protesters have maintained that they want to continue raising their demand for changes to the existing reservation system and want affirmative action to focus on economic criteria.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the Jantar Mantar protest against caste-based reservation, YouTuber Ajeet Bharti says, “Our biggest demand is that the government should come up with a white paper stating that the reservations youve given to people for eighty years… I come from Bihar from… pic.twitter.com/aXyxhdWggo
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2026
Rahul Gandhi’s Protest Adds To Political Activity In Delhi
The Jantar Mantar protest coincided with another political development in the national capital.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna outside the Parliament Street Police Station over a complaint by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who has alleged that he suffered pellet-gun injuries during the July 20 protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Gandhi accompanied Lochab to the police station and demanded that his complaint be registered as an FIR. The Delhi Police later moved towards registering an FIR in the alleged pellet-gun injury case.
The police have previously rejected allegations that security personnel used pellet guns against protesters during the July 20 demonstration.
BJP Targets Congress Over Rahul Gandhi’s Sit-In
The BJP criticised Rahul Gandhi’s protest, calling the Congress a “party of anarchy”.
The ruling party alleged that Gandhi’s sit-in was intended to divert attention from another political controversy, including the Congress’ position on Vande Mataram.
The BJP’s reaction added another political dimension to an already tense day in Delhi, with separate protests and police action taking place at different locations in the capital.
What Is The ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’?
The ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ is a campaign opposing caste-based reservation. Protesters associated with the movement argue that government benefits and affirmative action should instead give greater importance to a person’s economic condition.
The Friday demonstration brought the issue into public focus as protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar and refused to move after the permitted time and venue set by the police.
