YouTuber Ajeet Bharti, speaking at a protest against caste-based reservation at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, called for a review of the existing reservation system and outlined four key demands, including a white paper on reservations, quota within quota, minimum marks for admissions and greater benefits for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
The protest was organised by ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, a social media movement opposing quotas. A large number of people gathered at Jantar Mantar on Friday despite police permission being granted for the demonstration at Ramlila Maidan.
Also read | CJP protest-like scenes at Jantar Mantar as ‘Reservation Hatao’ stir draws massive crowd; several detained
Ajeet Bharti lists four demands
In a conversation with news agency ANI, YouTuber Bharti said the first demand was for the government to publish a white paper detailing the reservation system and its impact over the past 80 years.
“Our biggest demand is that the government should come up with a white paper stating that the reservations you’ve given to people for 80 years… I come from Bihar. Research how dire the situation of the Musahar community is. Their children aren’t getting reservations. Why? Because those caste groups don’t even have leaders, he told news agency ANI”
Also read | ‘Reservation Hatao’ protest gets Delhi Police nod, to be held at Ramlila Ground today
He said the Musahar community in Bihar was an example of groups that, according to him, were not receiving the benefits of reservations because they lacked political representation.
Demand for quota within quota
Bharti’s second demand was for a quota within the existing quota system. He also questioned the government’s position on the creamy layer in such a system.
“The second demand is quota within quota, on which the government has also said that we will not implement the creamy layer in it. Why will you not implement it? It is so absurd that the government is bowing down to those few Dalit leaders who only talk about their caste group…”
Earlier, this month, the government told the Supreme Court of India that the concept of a “creamy layer” cannot be extended for the reservation of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes categories. The government argued that the doctrine has consistently been applied to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) only.
Minimum marks for higher education
His third demand was for minimum marks to be maintained for admissions to higher educational institutions.
“The third demand is minimum marks. You cannot sell the dream of a developed India by compromising on merit. If 50% of the deserving youth or boys and girls who are studying will not get admission in the IITs, IIMs, or higher education, your efficiency has reduced by 50% right there…”
Bharti argued that admission standards should not be compromised in the name of reservation.
EWS benefits and SC category
His fourth demand was related to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), with Bharti calling for it to be made part of the Scheduled Castes (SC).
“Then the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) should be made a part of the Scheduled Castes (SC). The class whose definition says economically weaker, you are neither giving them a facility in buying the form, nor are you waiving their hostel fee, nor is their course fee being waived; what will you achieve by merely recognising it?…”
Bharti also called for the government to hold discussions on the issue.
“At least indicate that we are going to have a sit-down talk about this…”
Protesters detained at Jantar Mantar
The protesters were detained by the Delhi Police after the police denied permission to hold any form of protest in and around Jantar Mantar in the national capital.
The protesters were mobilised through social media sites for the demonstration, demanding that economic criteria be given precedence over caste when determining eligibility for government support and reservation.
Police personnel and paramilitary forces were deployed at key points in the area ahead of the protest, while barricades were put up to regulate the movement of people towards Jantar Mantar.
Who is Ajeet Bharti?
Born in Bihar, Ajeet Bharti is an independent journalist, author, and independent media creator who produces content (videos, commentary, satire) on political, social, judicial, and cultural issues.
He has worked with several mainstream media outlets in the past and subsequently, established his own media brand – AB4K Media – and continues independent analysis.
“Ajeet Bharti is a known name in Indian alternative media where he has never shied away from questioning and attacking any institution, be it government, judiciary or media itself. He brings to you detailed analysis on a topic of interest, trending stories, movies that have cultural roots and daily political developments,” his website reads.
Ajeet Bharti also makes ‘roast’ videos, which his website says give a flavour of Bharti’s political and social satire brilliance. “His commentary on judiciary has earned him two contempt proceedings allowed by the attorney general of India. Yet, he remains undeterred and keeps his foot on the paddle, if necessary,” the website reads.
Ajeet Bharti co-founded ‘DO politics’ before moving away from there and starting his own company that “aims to be free from the biased narrative of mainstream media to bring opinion and analysis with factual cohesiveness that news media is generally lacking”.
He is also an author. His works include Bakar Puran, Ghar Wapasi, There Will Be No Love, and Jo Bhi Kahunga Sach Kahunga.
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