Delhi Police deny permission for August 23 protests
Delhi Police said on Sunday that no permission had been granted to any individual or organisation to hold a protest or gathering at Jantar Mantar over reservation reforms, and warned people against assembling there based on what it called "misleading" social media posts. The clarification came after several videos and posts surfaced calling on people to gather at the venue.
In a statement, police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which replaced Section 144 of the CrPC, were already in force in the New Delhi district. Under these orders, protest marches, processions, demonstrations, and assemblies of five or more persons are prohibited. Police advised citizens not to gather on the basis of such posts or videos and not to forward, share, or amplify unverified content, warning that appropriate legal action would be taken against those found creating, circulating, or disseminating fake or misleading information. They appealed to people to rely only on verified information.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi, in a post on X, said, "Various videos/posts are being circulated calling upon people to gather/assemble on the issue of reservation reforms for the protest at Jantar Mantar on 23 August. No permission has been granted to any individual or organisation for holding any such protest/gathering at Jantar Mantar on 23 August 2026."
Security heightened outside Shah Auditorium
Security arrangements were heightened outside Shah Auditorium in Delhi on Sunday after videos circulating on social media claimed that permission had been granted for a protest against the UGC Equity Regulations (2026) and the reservation system. Delhi Police clarified that such claims were false and misleading, stating that no permission had been granted for holding any such protest at Shah Auditorium. Some reports also referenced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS being in force in the North District, with similar prohibitions on assemblies of five or more.
Background: Protests against reservation reforms
The police warning follows a large gathering at Jantar Mantar on Friday, where protesters under the banner of Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA) demanded an overhaul of the caste-based reservation system. According to reports, they called for quotas in academics and employment to be determined by income levels rather than social or caste identities, advocated a "one family, one reservation" policy, and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the UGC's 2026 caste-equity directives. Delhi Police and central forces were deployed at the site as a precautionary measure, with security personnel present at Jantar Mantar.
Reservation Hatao Andolan is described as an official Instagram page with 5.6 million followers, which has adopted protest-mobilisation tactics similar to those of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a group that led protests over the NEET paper leak.
Legal context: UGC regulations in court
The demand for a "UGC rollback" has gained momentum amid protests against the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. Notified in January, the regulations aim to address caste-based discrimination and promote equity in higher education institutions. The Supreme Court earlier kept the 2026 regulations in abeyance, observing that some provisions were "prima facie vague" and could have "sweeping consequences." The court directed that the 2012 UGC equity regulations remain in force until further orders. Petitioners have argued that the framework's definition of caste-based discrimination does not adequately protect students from non-reserved categories, while some have raised concerns over the scope and possible misuse of the regulations.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it is currently reconsidering the UGC's equity regulations. The opposition has since developed into a wider campaign demanding complete withdrawal, with a "Savarn Aakrosh Mahapanchayat" planned in Delhi on August 23.
Some reports also noted that the August 23 campaign was backed by Dr. Raj Shekhawat, founder and national president of the Kshatriya Karni Sena, who claimed that delegation members were detained during a padyatra in Noida and that discussions with senior police and administrative officials had taken place regarding the UGC rollback demand. Shekhawat described these discussions as a positive development, referring to Noida MP Dr. Mahesh Sharma. These claims are as reported by a single outlet.