A large number of people gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Friday to protest against caste-based reservation, despite the Delhi Police denying permission for the gathering. Police and Central Forces were deployed at the site, and several protesters were detained.
The Delhi Police had clarified on Thursday that no permission had been granted for any protest related to reservation reforms at Jantar Mantar on August 21. The police also said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are already in force in the New Delhi district.
Barricades were placed around Jantar Mantar, while a large number of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to prevent any unauthorised gathering.
Protesters demand review of reservation system
Small groups of protesters began arriving at the site earlier in the day. They raised slogans against the existing caste-based reservation system and demanded a review of the policy.
The proposed protest was called by the Instagram-based page “Reservation Hatao Andolan”, which has gained traction by adopting protest-mobilisation tactics similar to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Police call social media posts misleading
Delhi Police said videos circulating on social media claiming that permission had been granted for the protest were “false and misleading”.
The police advised people not to forward or circulate unverified information about the protest. It also warned that legal action could be taken against those found creating or spreading fake news.
Protest poster announced 2 pm gathering
The clarification came after an organisation’s official Instagram page, which has around 5.6 million followers, shared a poster announcing a “peaceful protest” at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to join the gathering at 2 pm on August 21.
Police said that under the prevailing prohibitory orders, marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more people are prohibited in the area.
