Security Tightened At Delhi Jantar Mantar Ahead Of Anti-Reservation Protest

Security was tightened at Jantar Mantar on Friday after a protest against caste-based reservation was called at the designated demonstration site, with additional police personnel deployed and barricades put up around the area, police sources said.

A few people reached the protest site in the morning following the call for the demonstration. Police intervened and removed them from the spot as permission had not been granted for the gathering, the sources said.

Security personnel were deployed at key points around Jantar Mantar, while police monitored movement towards the protest site and checked people entering the area. The sources said strict vigil was being maintained to prevent any unauthorised gathering.

Police said demonstrations at Jantar Mantar require prior permission from the authorities and that no gathering would be allowed without the necessary clearance.

The protest call was circulated by Reservation Hatao Andolan, an Instagram-based page that has been campaigning against caste-based reservation. The digital campaign was subsequently followed by a call for supporters to gather physically at Jantar Mantar on Friday.

The proposed demonstration comes amid a continuing debate over India's reservation system, which provides affirmative-action benefits in education, government employment and elected institutions to several historically disadvantaged communities. The issue has remained politically and socially contentious, with arguments continuing over representation, social justice and the criteria for extending reservation benefits.

Jantar Mantar is among Delhi's designated locations for public demonstrations, but organisers are required to obtain permission from the authorities before holding a protest. Police sources said the organisers of Friday's proposed demonstration had not received such permission.

The police deployment was aimed at preventing an unauthorised gathering and maintaining law and order in and around the protest site, the sources said.

(With inputs from PTI)