Protest Against Caste-Based Reservation at Jantar Mantar, Midnight Drama as Demonstrators Detained at Rajghat

New Delhi: Demonstration of youth has started at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against caste-based reservation. On Friday, a large number of youth reached Jantar Mantar and demonstrated with their demands. Late in the evening the police removed them from there. After this, some protesters reached Rajghat on Saturday morning, where the police took many people into custody.

The protesting youth say that they were not committing any kind of violence. They say that they just want to express their views and are protesting peacefully.

What do the protesters want?

The youth demand that along with caste, economic status should also be given importance in providing government help and reservation. They say that poor students should get the benefit of education, coaching and other facilities, no matter which caste they belong to.

Some people participating in the protest also raised the demand for review of the existing reservation system. Some youth also raised questions on the rules of creamy layer and issues related to UGC.

#WATCH | Delhi: A large number of people have gathered in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protesting against caste-based reservation. pic.twitter.com/oFXJfWBquc

Why did the protesters get angry at the police action?

The protesters allege that they were not allowed to demonstrate peacefully at Jantar Mantar. A protester named Pankaj claimed that the police lathicharged the people. He said that the protesters neither attacked the police nor misbehaved with anyone.

Another protester named Abhishek Thakur said that their movement would end soon. He questioned why other groups were allowed to protest for longer periods but were treated differently.

What happened after reaching Rajghat?

After being removed from Jantar Mantar, some youth reached Rajghat early on Saturday. Police were present there also. Police took action to control the crowd and detained some protesters.

Sunny Dwivedi, a protester, alleged that the police demolished their stage and took away people in buses. The protesters say that they want to protest in a Gandhian way.

Was the demonstration allowed at Jantar Mantar or not?

According to Delhi Police, no permission was given for demonstration, procession or meeting at Jantar Mantar. Therefore, deployment of police and security forces was increased in the area.
Police also said that NOC was given for the demonstration under 'Remove Reservation Movement' at Ramlila Maidan on Friday. A maximum of 500 people were allowed to demonstrate there till 4 pm.

At present, the protesters say that the agitation for their demands will continue.