Ghaziabad Police Halt Yati Narsinghanand’s Yatra to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar During Protest Against UGC Bill, Cite Lack of Permission.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | March 7, 2026:: Ghaziabad police on Saturday stopped a march led by priest Yati Narsinghanand and his supporters as they attempted to travel to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to protest against a proposed University Grants Commission (UGC) bill that, according to the organisers, could have significant implications for higher education institutions and academic appointments.

According to participants, the march—described by organisers as a “yatra”—began earlier in the day from the Dasna Devi Temple in Ghaziabad. The procession, which included several saints, activists, and followers, was scheduled to proceed toward Jantar Mantar in central Delhi, a site frequently used for demonstrations and public protests.

However, the march was intercepted by a heavy deployment of police personnel at Morta on the outskirts of Ghaziabad. Authorities prevented the procession from moving forward, citing the absence of the required permissions for the gathering and its proposed route.

Yati Narsinghanand alleged that the action was unjustified, claiming that the organisers had obtained permission from the Delhi Police to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. According to him, the group was peacefully proceeding along its planned route when Ghaziabad Police stopped them and blocked their movement.

“The yatra began from Dasna Devi Temple as scheduled, and we were moving towards Delhi peacefully,” Narsinghanand said, accusing the local administration of forcibly preventing the group from continuing the march.

Following the police intervention, several saints and activists who were part of the procession were reportedly placed under house arrest or detained to prevent them from continuing the demonstration.

Police officials, however, defended their action, stating that the organisers had not secured the necessary permissions from the Ghaziabad administration for the march within the district’s jurisdiction. Authorities said the procession was halted to maintain law and order and to prevent any potential disruption.

Officials added that while demonstrations are permitted under certain conditions, organisers must obtain approvals from the relevant local authorities along the entire route of a procession.

Organisers of the protest claimed that the proposed UGC bill is detrimental to the interests of general category students and teachers. According to them, the legislation could introduce provisions that may expand reservation-related mechanisms in academic recruitment and governance, which they argue could lead to what they described as “undue privilege” for certain reserved-category stakeholders in universities and colleges.

Some participants in the march also alleged that the bill might affect merit-based selection processes in faculty recruitment and administrative appointments. They expressed concern that such measures could, in their view, alter the existing balance in higher education institutions.

However, supporters of the proposed bill maintain that its objective is to promote equality, representation, and inclusivity within the higher education system by ensuring broader participation of historically underrepresented groups.

The situation in the Morta area remained under police supervision for several hours, though no major incidents of violence were reported.

Authorities have not yet indicated whether the organisers will be allowed to reschedule the march or hold their protest at Jantar Mantar at a later date.
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_Agency Inputs.