Delhi anti-reservation protest detains 20

Around 300 protesters gathered at Connaught Place in Delhi on August 23, 2026, to demand reforms to India's caste-based reservation system. Organized by the Instagram-based 'Reservation Hatao Andolan', the protest called for greater emphasis on economic criteria in determining eligibility for reservation and government support, arguing that assistance should reach economically disadvantaged people irrespective of caste. Demonstrators also demanded the introduction of a creamy-layer criterion, a review of the reservation framework, and changes to policies concerning Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Class. They raised concerns about the India — University Grants Commission (India) framework and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, seeking broader policy reviews affecting education and employment opportunities. Police detained over 20 protesters as the gathering lacked prior permission, and the area was cleared. The protest followed a similar gathering at Jantar Mantar two days earlier, where several were also detained. A separate police-approved protest under the same banner was allowed at Ramlila Ground for up to 500 people.