2006 Indian anti-reservation protests

The 2006 Indian anti-reservation protests were a series of nationwide demonstrations sparked by the government's proposal to increase reservation quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in educational institutions and public sector jobs. Following the recommendation of the Mandal Commission, which aimed to enhance the representation of OBCs, the announcements ignited widespread opposition primarily among students and youth, who argued that this move would compromise meritocracy and disadvantage higher castes. Protests erupted across major cities, with significant mobilizations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, leading to violent clashes, hunger strikes, and widespread debates about caste, social justice, and the evolving nature of affirmative action in India. The protests drew attention to longstanding societal divisions, highlighting the complexities of caste politics in contemporary Indian society.