'Cordial discussions': JP Nadda meets anti-reservation group after Jantar Mantar protest

NEW DELHI: Union minister JP Nadda on Thursday met representatives of Reservation Hatao Andolan, which is protesting against caste-based reservation and demanding a complete overhaul at the national capital's Jantar Mantar.In a social media post on X, Nadda said that he met Harsh Dubey, Mrityunjay Pathak and Ran Bahadur Singh Chauhan as per the pre-determined schedule, adding that another meeting will be held soon."Following the movement that took place at Jantar Mantar on August 21, cordial discussions were held, as per the pre-determined schedule, with Shri Harsh Dubey, Shri Ran Bahadur Singh Chauhan, and Shri Mrityunjay Pathak, members of the team. In this connection, we will meet again soon," he said.However, Nadda did not give details of the meeting.Meanwhile, Harsh Dubey said that the meeting was an important step towards dialogue."Positive initiative for the welfare of all society today. Our team met with the honourable Shri JP Nadda Ji. During this time, there was a brief discussion with him regarding the demonstration that took place on August 21. This meeting is an important step towards dialogue. We will soon meet again with the honourable Nadda Ji and strive to move forward with a positive and just decision in the interest of all society," Dubey said."Our objective is not against any section, but rather to democratically and peacefully present our views for equal opportunities, a just system, and necessary reforms in the national interest. Further information and decisions regarding this will be officially communicated shortly," he added.Reservation Hatao Andolan is demanding 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.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 with 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.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.