Lucknow: Savarna Morcha Protests UGC Rules, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak Assures Support

In a significant development in Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow, members of the Savarna Morcha staged a protest outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday, while the protesters were demonstrating against the new regulations introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which they termed as 'Black Laws'. The situation, which began with slogans and the blowing of conch shells, saw a shift in tone when the Deputy CM personally greeted the protesters and invited their leaders for a formal discussion inside his residence.

Deputy CM's Interaction with Protesters

Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak adopted a conciliatory approach, personally opening the doors for the delegation and greeting them with folded hands, while during the hour-long meeting, Pathak listened to the grievances of the Savarna Morcha representatives. He stated that the government stands with all religions and castes and emphasized his personal connection to the community. According to the representatives, Pathak assured them that he would take up the matter with the high command in Delhi to ensure that no injustice is meted out to students from the general category.

Core Grievances of Savarna Morcha

The Savarna Morcha has raised serious objections to the UGC's new guidelines, claiming they're a conspiracy against upper-caste students in higher educational institutions. National spokesperson Pandit Abhinav Nath Tripathi and coordinators Sandeep Singh and Basant Singh Baghel argued that these rules, combined with existing provisions of the Dalit Act, could be misused to target students. They alleged that such regulations could potentially ruin the careers of meritorious students through false litigations and demanded an immediate rollback of the guidelines.

Concerns Over Educational Impact

According to the Morcha leaders, the new UGC rules are perceived as a threat to the academic environment for the Savarna community. They questioned the necessity of introducing such laws at this juncture, while the leaders pointed out that even if courts have stayed certain aspects, the fundamental intent behind the rules remains a point of contention. They expressed fears that the implementation of these rules would lead to systemic bias in universities and colleges across the state.

Future Course of Action

Following the meeting, which was attended by over 50 office-bearers, the Morcha leaders addressed the media. While they expressed satisfaction with the Deputy CM's respectful reception and his promise to mediate with the central government, they maintained that their protest would continue until the rules are officially rescinded. The leaders emphasized that the final resolution lies with the authorities in Delhi, and they will remain vigilant until a formal decision is announced regarding the withdrawal of the contested UGC regulations.