New Delhi: After the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) agitation last month, it’s the turn of Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA) to take over the heart of the National capital.
Like CJP, the anti-reservation movement is an online phenomenon that started with an Instagram page less than a month ago, and now has 5.6 million followers.
On Friday, the digital campaign called for a physical, caste reservation protest at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police, though, gave a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a peaceful protest at Ramlila Maidan.
According to an official communication issued by the office of
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central District, issued an official notification stating a maximum of 500 people could gather at Ramlila ground until 4 pm.
Despite the Delhi Police directive, the crowds swelled at Jantar Mantar from the afternoon
Th gathering exceeded 500, and the protest remained active beyond the permitted time of 4 pm.
“Permission was sought a month ago for Jantar Mantar. But on the day of the protest, at 12 noon suddenly the venue was changed to Ramlila Maidan and the number fixed at 500. You’re not changing the place, your attempt is to somehow limit the voice,” RHA wrote on X.
Some people gathered at Jantar Mantar in the morning, but were immediately removed by police as no permission had been granted for holding the demonstration there, PTI reported.
But as more and more people flocked to Jantar Mantar, security was heightened in the area.
Security personnel were deployed at key points around Jantar Mantar and barricades put in place to prevent unauthorised gathering. A close watch was kept on movement towards the protest site and people entering the area were checked.
