Professors and Students Rally Against SC Stay on UGC Equity Rules
Professors and Students Rally Against SC Stay on UGC Equity Rules
Professors and student groups gather in Delhi to challenge the Supreme Court's stay on the UGC's new equity rules addressing caste-based discrimination in higher education.
A section of professors and students gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Saturday to protest a Supreme Court stay on the University Grants Commission’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions rules. Notified in January, the rules are meant to address all forms of discrimination—especially caste-based bias—on campuses, following years of activism and the deaths of students such as Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi. The protest was organized by the All India Students’ Association, a left-leaning group, with support from faculty who argue the regulations are essential for more inclusive universities.
Dalit activist and lawyer Rajendra Pal Gautam told the crowd that the questions of everyday dignity—like drinking water or touching someone—have long been used to police caste boundaries, underscoring why the rules matter. Former Delhi University Teachers’ Association president Nandita Narain recalled how Delhi University gradually opened more reserved-category appointments, noting that the fight for representation has been hard-won but ongoing.
JNUSU president Aditi Mishra described the gathering as the beginning of a movement for social justice, while student activists from JNU said they would hold similar protests in the coming days. The debate has spilled into national politics, with some general-category groups opposing the rules and calling for a Bharat Bandh on Sunday, arguing it expands protections beyond what was promised. Proponents counter that equity measures are overdue and necessary to counter entrenched discrimination and create fair access to education.
Authorities also reminded people that help is available for those who experience distress in the aftermath of campus tensions, with Tele MANAS at 14416 listed as a support line.
