New Delhi: A big protest took place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Friday in protest against caste based reservation in the country. A large number of people came to this day long demonstration and demanded abolition of the reservation system. When the crowd continued to gather even after permission till 4 pm, Delhi Police and RAF reached the spot late in the night and detained the protesters and took them away in buses. The protesters allege that they were peacefully protesting against UGC and SC-ST reservation, yet the police caught them.
People gathered on the appeal of Instagram page, tricolor and banner in their hands
The call for this protest was given by an Instagram page named 'Remove Reservation Movement'. An appeal was made on the page to reach Jantar Mantar on Friday, after which a large number of people reached there.
Most of the men were seen in the demonstration that started in the morning. Many people held the tricolor in their hands, some came with banners-posters and saffron flags. The crowd was raising slogans against caste reservation and new rules of UGC.
In view of the huge crowd, the police had already made strict security arrangements. Barricades were erected around Jantar Mantar and police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at key places.
What did the protesters say, what are the main demands
A protestor associated with All India Kshatriya Mahasabha, who came to the protest, said that while giving government assistance, economic condition should not be considered but caste. A poor person, irrespective of his caste, should get help in education, coaching and fees.
Another protestor said that the existing reservation system should be reviewed. He said that the benefits of reservation are not always reaching the most deprived sections. The government should see whether this system is fulfilling its purpose or not.
Demand for quota in white paper and quota
Some protesters demanded implementation of creamy layer in SC, ST and OBC reservation. A youth said that our biggest demand is that the government should bring a white paper and tell how much benefit has been given to which caste by the reservation being given for 80 years. His allegation was that only some caste groups were getting the benefits of reservation.
Whereas even among SC-ST, there are many such castes which do not have leaders and they have not received benefits till date. The second demand was regarding 'quota within quota'. The protesters said that the government has said that the creamy layer will not be implemented in this, which is wrong. Aid should reach those who truly need it.