U.P. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak meets reservation reform movement agitators, assures dialogue with Union Ministers

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Saturday (August 22, 2026) in Lucknow said the demands raised by students involved in the “reservation reform” movement would be taken up with the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and a meeting with the concerned Union Minister would also be ensured.

Mr. Pathak was addressing a press conference with Harsh Dubey, who is claiming to be leading the reservation reform movement at Jantar Mantar.  

“In a press conference held in Lucknow today with Mr. Harsh Dubey, who is leading the reservation reform movement at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, in view of the seriousness of the demands and concerns of the student delegation, he was fully assured that their demands would be effectively placed before the central leadership in the next two days and their meeting with the concerned Union Minister would also be ensured. Our government is committed to a bright future for students. No injustice will be done to any student. Our government will take everyone along,” said Mr. Pathak, the Deputy CM. 

Mr. Dubey said that the students had held a peaceful protest and their main demand was that all young people should get equal opportunities. He thanked Mr. Pathak for assuring them of a meeting with the Union minister.

Other members of the reservation reform movement distanced themselves from the meeting, adding that the movement is very much on, and it will continue until the government speak to representatives directly. 

“I am speaking on behalf of Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA) and let me clarify: We neither endorse the meeting between Harsh Dubey and the government, nor the demands he is presenting. So, the government cannot claim that it is “talking to RHA” and declare that this movement is over. The movement is very much on, and it will continue until they speak to us directly instead of using their puppets,” wrote Anuradha Tiwari, associated with the movement and one of three people who controls the instagram page of the Reservation Hatao Andolan. 

Ajeet Bharti, another person who controls the Instagram page of the movement on X wrote, “The ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ has no support for Harsh Dubey’s press conference. Because we are ideologically aligned with this movement, I was present there yesterday. We neither called for this movement nor the press conference. Those who came to Jantar Mantar at the call of Harsh or others are kindly requested to return home.

“There must be a reason why I discouraged gathering people so quickly for such a protest. No party should think this is the end of the movement. We will discuss it, inform the people, and we will be back soon, and in much larger numbers than we are now. Also, congratulations to Harsh Dubey’s father for his MLA ticket. Through you, an upper-caste person will reach the Assembly. I hope you will oppose the current reservation policies there,” wrote Mr. Bharti, on X.