The ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ is unfolding in Delhi on Friday, with protesters gathering at Jantar Mantar even as the Delhi Police has shifted the permitted venue to Ramlila Ground.
The police has issued an NOC allowing up to 500 people to gather at Ramlila Ground until 4 pm. However, protesters have continued to gather at Jantar Mantar, where security has been tightened.
Key developments
Protesters gather at Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police permits a gathering at Ramlila Ground
The permitted venue can accommodate up to 500 people
Protest organisers object to the venue change
Protesters say they will continue their demonstration
New Delhi | August 21, 2026
5:14 PM | Security heightened at Jantar Mantar
Security has been stepped up at Jantar Mantar as protesters continue to remain at the site.
4:38 PM | Protest continues after permitted time
The protest remained active even after the 4 pm deadline mentioned in the Delhi Police NOC for Ramlila Ground.
The NOC allowed up to 500 people to gather at Ramlila Ground until 4 pm. Protesters, however, continued to remain at Jantar Mantar.
4:24 PM | Protesters recite Hanuman Chalisa
Protesters at Jantar Mantar recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the ongoing demonstration.
4:15 PM | BJP reacts to Rahul Gandhi's protest
The BJP criticised Congress after Rahul Gandhi staged a protest at the Parliament Street police station.
The party called Congress a “party of anarchy” and alleged that Gandhi's protest was aimed at diverting attention from another political controversy.
🚨Police deployed at Jantar Mantar as members of "Reservation Hatao Andolan" continue their protest pic.twitter.com/HFYYMgw1QK
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) August 21, 2026
4:10 PM | Rahul Gandhi stages protest nearby
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's office at Delhi's Parliament Street police station.
His protest was over an alleged refusal to register an FIR concerning a student's complaint about pellet-gun injuries during earlier protests.
4:05 PM | Protesters raise UGC rules issue
The protesters at Jantar Mantar are also demanding the rollback of UGC rules that have been stayed by the Supreme Court.
3:42 PM | Protest continues amid venue dispute
The protest remains active in Delhi as the disagreement over the venue continues. Delhi Police's NOC permits a gathering of up to 500 people at Ramlila Ground until 4 pm, while protesters have remained at Jantar Mantar.
3:21 PM | Protesters say they will continue
A protester at Jantar Mantar said the demonstration would continue despite the change in venue.
2:56 PM | Protesters remain at Jantar Mantar
People participating in the ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ continued to gather at Jantar Mantar as police maintained security in the area.
2:54 PM | What are the protesters demanding?
The movement is calling for changes to the existing reservation system in education and government employment.
Among its stated demands are selection based on merit, removal of caste details from certain official processes and a shift towards assistance based on factors such as economic status, disability and other circumstances.
2:51 PM | What is the Reservation Hatao Andolan?
The ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ is a digital campaign that has expanded into an offline protest movement against the existing caste-based reservation system in India.
The movement has been using social media to mobilise supporters ahead of the Delhi demonstration.
2:49 PM | Organisers object to venue change
The organisers objected to the change from Jantar Mantar to Ramlila Ground, saying permission for Jantar Mantar had been sought earlier.
They also questioned the decision to limit the gathering to 500 people.
Earlier | Security tightened at Jantar Mantar
Security was increased at Jantar Mantar ahead of the planned demonstration, with additional police personnel and barricades deployed in the area. Police had earlier said that permission had not been granted for a gathering at the protest site.
Earlier | Delhi Police issues NOC for Ramlila Ground
Delhi Police issued a no-objection certificate for a peaceful ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ gathering at Ramlila Ground. The permission allows a maximum of 500 people to gather until 4 pm.
What happens next?
The protest remains fluid, with the venue dispute and the size of the gathering likely to shape the next developments. Further updates will be added as they emerge.
