What happened: RHA protests at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA) protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 22 August 2026 to demand an overhaul of India’s reservation system. The protest mobilisation was described as being led by a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-style Instagram page.
Protesters demanded changes to how quotas in public education and employment are decided. Reported demands included:
Quotas should be based only on income, not on socio-economic categories.Slogans including “one family, one reservation”.Rollback of University Grants Commission (UGC) caste-equity rules.
The protest involved a permission-related stand-off and subsequent police action. The reported sequence included:
Delhi Police reportedly stated that no permission had been granted.Many protesters still reached Jantar Mantar and refused to leave, leading to a standoff with security personnel.Protesters reportedly set up a stage with a banner reading “Reservation Reform Satyagraha”.Around 7:30 p.m., Delhi Police reportedly announced the gathering was illegal, and security personnel reportedly removed protesters from the site on buses.
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