Reservation Hatao Andolan: 5 key demands raised at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest

From a review of reservation policy to a creamy-layer provision, here are the five major demands raised during the Reservation Hatao protest in Delhi

PGurus Newsdesk

August 22, 2026

Protesters at Jantar Mantar demanded a major rethink of India’s reservation framework, putting merit and economic need at the centre of their five-point agenda

Beyond caste quotas: Five demands at the centre of Delhi’s Reservation Hatao protest

A large crowd gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Friday for the Reservation Hatao Andolan, with protesters calling for major changes to India’s existing reservation framework. Several protesters were detained by Delhi Police after the gathering continued despite restrictions at the site.

The protesters argued that government assistance and affirmative action should focus more on economic circumstances and individual need rather than caste alone. The demonstration was organised through social media and drew people demanding a review of the existing reservation system.

Here are the five key demands raised by protesters:

1. Merit-based admissions and recruitment

One of the central demands was that academic admissions and government employment should be based on merit rather than caste-based quotas. Protesters argued that merit should play a greater role in determining opportunities in education and public employment.

2. Economic criteria for government support

The protesters called for government assistance to be determined by economic status and other indicators of need, irrespective of caste or religion.

They argued that support should reach people who are genuinely disadvantaged, including those facing financial hardship, disabilities, orphanhood or the loss of a parent who was a martyr.

3. Review of the reservation system

The protesters demanded a comprehensive review of the existing reservation policy, including an assessment of how the system has worked over the decades and whether its benefits are reaching the communities most in need.

YouTuber Ajeet Bharti, who addressed the gathering, called for a government white paper on reservation to examine the impact of the policy over the years.

4. ‘One Nation, One Identity’

Another demand was to remove the requirement to disclose caste details in public forms, job applications and educational processes.

The protesters proposed a “One Nation, One Identity” framework as part of their broader push against caste-based identification in public institutions.

5. Changes to existing quota provisions

The protesters also raised demands for reforms within the existing reservation structure, including quota within quota and a creamy-layer provision.

Some participants argued that reservation benefits should be reviewed to ensure that they reach the most disadvantaged sections rather than being repeatedly accessed by relatively better-off sections within beneficiary communities.

Police detain protesters at Jantar Mantar

The demonstration also led to a confrontation with Delhi Police. Authorities had not granted permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar and had instead issued a no-objection certificate for a gathering of up to 500 people at Ramlila Ground until 4 pm.

Despite this, protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in large numbers. Police and central forces were deployed in the area, and several demonstrators were later detained after refusing to leave the site.

The protest has added fresh momentum to the debate over India’s reservation system, with demonstrators demanding a shift towards what they describe as a more need-based and merit-oriented framework.

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