New Delhi: Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on March 19 regarding the stayed University Grants Commission equity regulations, activists on Tuesday called for their immediate enforcement, highlighting the imperative to combat caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. Activists demand UGC equity rules implementation before March 19 SC hearing. The demand was voiced at a public hearing and press conference held at the Press Club of India by the All India Forum for Equity and Samta Sangharsh Samiti. Speakers highlighted the regulations’ role in combating university discrimination. Controversy arose after the UGC announced the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, on January 13, requiring all affiliated higher education institutions to form equity committees with OBC, SC, and ST representatives to handle discrimination complaints and foster inclusion. The decision faced criticism from various groups, who argued it could be abused to stir caste tensions and poison the academic atmosphere. In response to the outcry, the Supreme Court on January 29 stayed the UGC’s equity regulations on campus caste discrimination, deeming the framework “prima facie vague,” potentially leading to “very sweeping consequences” and risking societal division with a “dangerous impact.” “If we do not intervene, it will lead to a dangerous impact, will divide society and will have a grave impact… Prima facie, we say that the language of the regulation is vague and experts need to look into it for the language to be modulated so that it is not exploited,” stated a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The court also directed the Centre and UGC to reply by March 19 to three petitions challenging the University Grants Commission Regulations, 2026, which define caste-based discrimination narrowly as bias against SCs, STs, and OBCs. Delhi University faculty member Kanchan condemned “institutional murders” in universities and underscored the need for clauses 3 and 3. She argued that fears of “false complaints” dismiss victims’ realities. Senior journalist Anil Chamadia remarked, “The resistance to UGC regulations reveals the hierarchical nature of Indian society lurking behind a constitutional facade.” Additional speakers pointed out that caste discrimination persists outside UGC institutions and stressed the importance of “strengthening collective platforms” for the anti-caste movement. Student activists affiliated with left-wing groups from multiple Delhi universities also attended the conference. This article was produced from an automated news agency feed with no changes to the text.
