Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Saturday met Harsh Dubey and a delegation associated with the Reservation Hatao Andolan, a day after a large protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar seeking changes to the caste-based reservation system.
Pathak, who addressed a press conference in Lucknow alongside Dubey and other delegation members, said their demands had been conveyed to the Centre and would be considered “very seriouslyâ€.
He also assured the delegation that a meeting with a Union minister would be arranged within two days, allowing the protesters to directly present their concerns before the central government.
“We have submitted that letter to our Central leadership, and the Central leadership has assured us that they will consider the demands of our youth who sat at Jantar Mantar very seriously,†Pathak said.
Pathak said the government would ensure that “no harm†came to students and young people and added that he would accompany the delegation when it meets the Union minister.
In a post on X after the meeting, Pathak described Dubey as leading the “reservation reform movement†at Jantar Mantar and reiterated that the delegation’s demands would be placed before the central leadership.
“Our government is committed to the bright future of the students. There will be no injustice to any student. Our government will move forward taking everyone along,†Pathak said.
The meeting marked the first significant political outreach to the protesters following Friday’s mobilisation at Jantar Mantar.
The August 21 demonstration was led by Dubey and Abhishek Agnihotri and drew students and supporters seeking reforms in the existing reservation framework. Protesters also raised objections to the UGC equity norms, while some sections of the gathering demanded that economic conditions be given greater weight in determining reservation benefits.
Delhi Police had said a day before the protest that permission had not been granted for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
As protesters gathered on Friday, police subsequently offered Ramlila Maidan as an alternative venue and issued a no-objection certificate allowing up to 500 people to demonstrate there until 4 pm.
The protesters, however, remained at Jantar Mantar. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel later cleared the site around 7.30 pm, with some protesters detained and subsequently released.
