New Delhi: The outrage over the College Grants Fee’s (UGC) new guidelines continues to spiral, with many throughout the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) overtly opposing them and demanding reconsideration, saying they might result in ‘reverse discrimination’. Resignations and letters towards the foundations maintain pouring in.

The College Grants Fee (Promotion of Fairness in Larger Training Establishments) Laws, 2026, apply to all increased schooling establishments (HEIs) throughout India. They’ve drawn criticism from common class college students in addition to BJP leaders—lots of whom have resigned in protest.

A number of BJP leaders allege the foundations, notified by the UGC on 13 January, had been launched within the identify of equality in increased schooling however really goal upper-caste members of society and are discriminatory. College students additionally staged a protest in entrance of Lucknow College.

In keeping with the federal government, the brand new guidelines are supposed to curb caste-based discrimination in faculties and universities, requiring establishments to determine particular committees, helplines, and monitoring groups to handle complaints, notably from SC, ST, and OBC college students.

However a number of upper-caste organisations declare the provisions is likely to be misused for false complaints towards college students and school from their communities.

A serious concern for common class college students and BJP leaders is the removing of a bit on “false complaints” from the draft. The sooner draft offered for fines or disciplinary motion in circumstances of “false complaints of discrimination”.

Union schooling minister Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned: “I guarantee everybody there will probably be no discrimination and nobody can misuse the regulation.”

“I wish to guarantee everybody that nobody will probably be subjected to harassment and there will probably be no discrimination. Nobody could have the appropriate to misuse something within the identify of discrimination. Whether or not it’s the UGC, the Authorities of India, or the state authorities, will probably be their duty. I guarantee you that no matter system or association is made in India will probably be throughout the framework of the Structure. So far as this situation is anxious, it comes underneath the Supreme Courtroom’s jurisdiction, and I wish to reassure you that no injustice, oppression, or discrimination will probably be dedicated towards anybody,” Dharmendra Pradhan informed media individuals.

In Agra, as per media stories, BJP chief Jagdish Pachauri—who as soon as served as deputy chairman of the municipal company—wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in blood, demanding an instantaneous rollback of the UGC guidelines.

Former Rajya Sabha MP and BJP chief Sanjay Sinh additionally criticised the transfer: “Justice is significant solely when it’s equal and truthful to all. The dearth of steadiness within the UGC’s new fairness rules is creating an environment of hysteria and apprehension inside instructional establishments. Why is the definition of discrimination so restricted? Why are there no clear provisions for penalties for false complaints? It’s requested that these guidelines be made caste-neutral, clear and secure for all in order that no harmless particular person is exploited,” he wrote on his Fb web page.

Senior BJP chief and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra claimed UGC officers made the choice with out clear reasoning, benefiting nobody.

“Dividing individuals on the idea of caste is simply not proper. Via this they’re making an attempt to divide Hindu society on caste traces. Nobody will profit. There needs to be equal therapy for everybody in faculties and academic establishments. Ragging is mistaken and the regulation ought to apply to all. The best way protests are happening throughout the nation, I’m positive the federal government will think about it and take motion. UGC itself ought to evaluation and roll again its choice,” he informed the media.

A number of BJP leaders have additionally questioned social gathering members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Training, who made suggestions to the UGC. BJP members within the standing committee embrace MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Rekha Sharma, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Sambit Patra and Ravi Shankar Prasad amongst others.

“These rules weren’t formulated in a day. Committees deliberated for thus lengthy, and our personal social gathering leaders in these consultations didn’t even spotlight common class college students’ issues. The social gathering must take instant steps, or will probably be too late. Protests are spiraling throughout the nation—instant motion is required,” mentioned a senior BJP chief.

Sources say the federal government is more likely to situation a clarification explaining the intent of the foundations. Minister of State for Dwelling Affairs Nityanand Rai dodged a direct response when requested by media individuals if the rules could be reviewed.

Notified on January 13, the brand new guidelines changed the UGC (Promotion of Fairness in Larger Academic Establishments) Laws, 2012. The target is to “eradicate discrimination solely on the idea of faith, race, gender, place of origin, caste, or incapacity, notably towards members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, socially and educationally backward courses, economically weaker sections, individuals with disabilities, or any of them, and to advertise full fairness and inclusion amongst stakeholders in increased schooling establishments.”

“If we don’t protest now, nothing will occur. Celebration is vital, however so is our self-respect. Common class members have been handled unfairly for a while, and this issues our kids’s future. We will’t let anybody jeopardise it. Many senior leaders are quiet as a result of their children examine overseas, however we’ve to reply our youth,” mentioned a BJP functionary.

(Edited by Viny Mishra)

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Additionally learn: ‘Underestimating higher caste unity’: Resentment & resignations inside BJP over new UGC guidelines

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