UGC Equity Rules Row: Massive Protests Across India, SC Steps In

The University Grants Commission's (UGC) new Equity Regulations have sparked a massive wave of protests across India. What was intended to be a step towards inclusivity has now become a major challenge for the central government. Students and organizations from the general category have taken to the streets,. Claiming the rules are discriminatory and create further divisions within educational institutions.

Protests Intensify Across Major Cities

The fire of protest has spread from Lucknow to Delhi. In Lucknow University, students organized a massive sit-in, chanting slogans like "Withdraw the Black Law. " In Prayagraj, even members of the BJP's youth wing joined the protests, carrying the national flag and demanding an immediate rollback. The Savarna Army has also staged demonstrations at collectorates, warning of a nationwide stir if the regulations aren't amended.

UGC Office Besieged in Delhi

In the national capital, students marched directly to the UGC headquarters. Representatives met with UGC Chairman Vineet Joshi and handed over a 15-day ultimatum to withdraw the controversial clauses. The protesters argued that the current framework ignores the grievances of general category students, leaving them vulnerable to false accusations without any representation in the proposed committees.

Government Assurance vs Political Backlash

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has tried to calm the situation by assuring students that no discrimination will be tolerated. He emphasized that the government is committed to justice for all sections of society. However, the political climate remains heated. While the Congress party highlighted internal rifts within the government on this issue, the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the move, stating that creating more inequality isn't the solution to ending existing disparities. Interestingly, the NSUI has welcomed the move, calling for a collective voice against all forms of discrimination in higher education.

Legal Battle in the Supreme Court

The controversy has now moved to the legal arena, with 20 petitions filed in the Supreme Court. The petitioners argue that excluding the general category from Equity Committees violates Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. The central government is currently consulting with Attorney General R. Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to navigate the legal complexities of these regulations.

Why the Outrage? Key Points of Contention

There are five primary reasons behind the widespread anger. First, the Equity Committees include representation for SC, ST, and OBC categories but completely exclude the general category. Second, there are no safeguards against discrimination faced by general category students. Third, the lack of punishment for false complaints raises fears of misuse. Fourth, critics argue that even academic debates could be misconstrued as discrimination. Finally, there is a growing fear that these rules will lead to deep-seated caste-based polarization on campuses.