Reservation Hatao Andolan fleshes out various shades in BJP
A new protest movement called 'Reservation Hatao Andolan' is gaining traction in North India, advocating for the abolition of the reservation system for marginalized castes. The movement utilizes online mobilization tactics similar to previous student protests and has received support from various right-wing organizations and commentators.
Why it matters
This movement highlights growing social tensions regarding caste-based affirmative action in India and the increasing influence of digital-first, decentralized political organizing.
On the morning of September 7, the X platform was full of videos of anti-reservation agitations purportedly across Haridwar, Varanasi, Noida and other parts of North and central India. Visuals showed Kali Sena chief Swami Anand Swaroop leading a march in Uttarakhand. Another march in Ashoknagar, Madhya Pradesh, and a gathering in Agra, among others, also made the rounds. The X profile of the Parashuram Dal in Haryana called for another protest in Palwal, Haryana, on September 7.
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On his X handle, Anand Swaroop posted, “Surprisingly, the upper-caste society has awakened—who it will uproot, we can’t say, but reforms in reservations, the abolition of SC/ST quotas, and the rollback of UGC are definitely going to happen.”
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