Dhanbad, September 1, 2026: Two large rallies converged at Randhir Verma Chowk in Dhanbad on Tuesday during a protest seeking withdrawal of the UGC law and changes to the reservation system on economic grounds.
The rallies were organised separately from Zila Parishad Maidan and City Centre before coming together at Randhir Verma Chowk, where participants raised slogans in support of their demands.
Two rallies march through Dhanbad
The first rally was organised jointly by the Rajput Vichar Manch, Brahmin Samaj and Kayastha Samaj. It began from Zila Parishad Maidan and was led by the organisation’s central president Arun Kumar Singh, working president Arvind Kumar Singh, general secretary SK Singh and social worker Vijay Jha.
Participants demanded withdrawal of what they described as the UGC law and called for changes in the existing reservation system.
The second rally started from City Centre under the banner of Atal Abhiyan Chitee and student-youth organisations. It was led by Dr Piyush Pushkar Singh and Rahul Singh as part of a reservation reform campaign.
Students, young people and other citizens joined the march carrying placards highlighting their demands. The rain did not deter the participants, who continued the procession while raising slogans.
Rallies merge at Randhir Verma Chowk
The City Centre rally proceeded via the Zila Parishad Maidan route before reaching Randhir Verma Chowk, where the other procession also arrived.
After the two rallies came together, a large gathering formed at the square. Protesters raised slogans including “Reservation should be based on economic status,” “Every section should get justice,” “Equality, justice and opportunity are our rights,” “Merit should be respected,” and “Withdraw the UGC black law.”
Leaders call for reservation reform
Addressing the gathering, Arun Kumar Singh alleged that the existing UGC law was detrimental to the future of young people. He argued that reservation benefits should reach economically disadvantaged and needy people.
Vijay Jha, Suresh Tiwari and Rahul Singh said the movement would be intensified in phases if the government did not take steps towards withdrawing the UGC law and reforming the reservation system.
These were the organisers’ and protesters’ views expressed during the demonstration.
Memorandum submitted to President
At the end of the protest, representatives of both rallies jointly submitted a memorandum through the Deputy Commissioner addressed to the President of India, outlining their demands.
Among those present were Nagendra Shukla, Tara Pathak, Manoj Srivastava, Umesh Singh, Dr Nilesh, Vishu Singh, Gajendra Singh, Shashi Bhushan Singh, Mukesh Singh, Mahip Singh, Lallu Singh, Pramod Singh, Naval Rai, Sukumar Jha, Sandeep Kumar and Vivek Sinde, along with a large number of other participants.
