Security Tightened at Jantar Mantar Ahead of Proposed Anti-Reservation Protest
New Delhi, August 21: In anticipation of a proposed protest against caste-based reservation, security has been significantly heightened at Jantar Mantar, one of the capital's designated protest sites. Additional police personnel have been deployed in and around the area, and barricades have been erected to prevent any unauthorized gathering, according to police sources on Friday.
The sources said that a few individuals arrived at the protest site in the morning, but were immediately removed by the police as no permission had been granted for holding any demonstration. Security personnel have been stationed at key points, and movement towards the protest site is being closely monitored. People entering the area are being checked to ensure compliance with regulations.
The police have made it clear that they will not allow any gathering without prior permission, and a strict vigil is being maintained. The demonstration was called by ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, an Instagram-based campaign, which later urged supporters to assemble physically at Jantar Mantar. The digital campaign has been vocal in its demand for the abolition of reservation policies in India.
Reservation in India refers to a system of affirmative action that provides historically disadvantaged communities, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), with access to education, employment, and political representation. The policy, rooted in the Constitution, has been a subject of intense debate for decades, with proponents arguing that it addresses centuries of social discrimination, while opponents contend that it perpetuates inequality based on birth.
Legal challenges to reservation have been heard by the Supreme Court, which has upheld the concept but has also imposed a cap of 50% on reservations in most cases, except in certain special circumstances. The demand for ‘removal’ of reservation remains a fringe sentiment, with mainstream political parties largely supporting the existing framework, albeit with differing views on its implementation and extension.
In this context, the police have asserted that any public gathering must follow the legal process of obtaining permission. Officers highlighted that Jantar Mantar is a high-visibility location where permissions are granted only after assessing the potential for unrest or obstruction. The heightened security is a precautionary measure to ensure public order and safety.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the proposed protest have not released a statement regarding the police action. It remains unclear whether they will seek official approval or attempt to hold the demonstration without it. The police have reiterated that any attempt to violate the law, including unauthorized assembly, will be dealt with accordingly.
Residents and commuters in the area have been advised to expect delays and to cooperate with security personnel. The situation is being closely monitored, and updates will be provided as the day progresses. This report is based on information available at the time of writing from police sources and public announcements.
