Hundreds Gather For Anti-Reservation Protest In Delhi’s Connaught Place, Several Detained As Police Say ‘No Permission’

Protesters advocated for reforms, emphasising economic criteria for eligibility and expressing the need for assistance to reach economically disadvantaged individuals from all backgrounds.

Around 300 people gathered at Delhi’s Connaught Place on Sunday to protest against caste-based reservation and demand reforms to the quota system, with police detaining more than 20 protesters from the site. The demonstrators called for greater emphasis on economic criteria for reservation and government support, arguing that benefits should reach economically disadvantaged people irrespective of caste.

Police maintained a presence at Connaught Place as the gathering was cleared from the protest site. Over 20 people were detained and removed as no permission had been granted for the demonstration.

A key demand raised during the demonstration was the introduction of a creamy-layer criterion and a review of the existing reservation framework. Protesters also sought changes in 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 told PTI.

Another participant said the existing system should be examined to ensure that its benefits reach those who genuinely need support.

The protesters also raised concerns over the University Grants Commission framework and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, seeking a broader review of policies they said affected opportunities in education and employment.