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Updated Aug 23, 2026 · 09:32
Delhi News Updated Aug 23, 2026

Delhi Police denies permission for Aug 23 UGC rollback protest at Shah Auditorium

Delhi Police has clarified that no permission was granted for a protest against UGC Equity Regulations at Shah Auditorium on August 23, calling social media claims to the contrary false. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS remain active in the North District, banning assemblies of five or more people. The clarification follows Friday's Reservation Hatao Andolan protest at Jantar Mantar, where police and central forces were deployed to maintain order.

No permission for Aug 23 UGC rollback protest at Shah Auditorium; Sec 163 of BNSS active: Delhi Police

New Delhi, August 23

The Delhi Police clarified that videos doing rounds on social media claiming that permission had been granted for a protest against the UGC Equity Regulations and the reservation system at Shah Auditorium on August 23 are "false and misleading".

Issuing a clarification, the police on Saturday confirmed that no permission has been given to anyone for holding a demonstration at the venue.

"It is further clarified that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS (erstwhile Section 144 CrPC) are already in force in the North District. Accordingly, protest marches, processions, demonstrations, and assemblies of five or more persons are strictly prohibited," the Delhi Police said.

The police advised citizens not to amplify, forward, or share any unverified content on social media, warning that strict legal action will be initiated against those found creating or disseminating fake news.

This comes after a large number of people gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Friday to protest against caste-based reservation, under the banner of Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA), demanding a complete overhaul of the caste-based reservation system.

They demanded that quotas in academics and employment should strictly be determined by income levels rather than social or caste identities. Additionally, the protesters advocated for a "one family, one reservation" policy and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the UGC's 2026 caste-equity directives.

A large number of people gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Friday to protest against caste-based reservation, following which the Delhi Police and Central Forces were deployed at the protest site to maintain law and order situation.

Security personnel were seen present at Jantar Mantar as protesters assembled at the designated protest area. The police deployment was carried out as a precautionary measure amid the large gathering.

Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA) is an official Instagram page, which has 5.6 million followers. The platform rapidly gained traction by adopting the protest-mobilisation tactics of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and has now called for a physical protest against the reservation system.

— ANI

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