Around 300 protest against caste-based reservation at Delhi’s Connaught Place
text_fields
Around 300 people gathered at Connaught Place's outer circle in Delhi on Sunday to protest against caste-based reservation and demand reforms to the existing quota system, police said.
The protesters raised slogans and carried placards, calling for greater emphasis on economic criteria when determining eligibility for reservation and government support.
They argued that assistance should reach economically disadvantaged people regardless of caste.
Police said more than 20 protesters were detained and removed from the site as the gathering did not have permission. A police presence was maintained at Connaught Place as the demonstration was cleared.
A key demand was the introduction of a creamy-layer criterion and a review of the existing reservation framework. Protesters also sought changes to policies concerning Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
“We are not against reservation. We want reforms in reservation. The government should understand that poor people from all communities also face difficulties and their concerns should be heard,” a protester said.
Participants also called for a review of the University Grants Commission framework and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, saying existing policies affected opportunities in education and employment.
The demonstration followed an online mobilisation led by the Instagram-based “Reservation Hatao Andolan” page, which has around 5.6 million followers. The campaign had called on supporters to participate in a physical demonstration in Delhi.
Two days earlier, hundreds had gathered at Jantar Mantar following the campaign's call. Police detained several protesters there. Separately, a police-approved demonstration under the same banner was allowed at Ramlila Ground for up to 500 people until 4 pm.