A gathering of approximately 300 individuals took place without official authorization in New Delhi's Connaught Place on Sunday, sparking a swift intervention by law enforcement. The assembly was organized to advocate for sweeping changes to the existing reservation framework, with participants arguing that government support and societal opportunities should hinge on an individual's financial standing rather than caste identity. Protesters maintained that financial hardship impacts citizens across all communities, making economic need the most equitable baseline for assistance.
Demands for Creamy Layer and Act Reviews
Demonstrators carrying placards along the outer circle emphasized that they were not seeking the complete abolition of reservations, but rather practical reforms within the system. Their primary policy demands put forward during the gathering included specific adjustments.
- Implementing the creamy layer principle across policies related to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
- Conducting a thorough review of University Grants Commission frameworks and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act.
- Formulating comprehensive policy shifts to guarantee equal opportunities in education and employment sectors.
Police Intervention and Digital Campaign Roots
In response to the unauthorized assembly, security personnel took immediate action to clear the area and bolster local security, ultimately detaining upwards of 20 participants for staging a protest without prior clearance.
The demonstration stemmed from an online campaign organized via an Instagram page titled 'Reservation Removal Movement', which boasts roughly 5.6 million followers. A similar demonstration occurred two days prior near Jantar Mantar under the same banner, resulting in several detentions by authorities. Conversely, a separate gathering planned at Ramlila Ground under this organization had secured formal written permission from police for a limited headcount.
