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

The College Grants Fee (Promotion of Fairness in Increased Training Establishments) Rules, 2026, apply to all larger training establishments (HEIs) throughout India. They’ve drawn criticism from basic class college students in addition to BJP leaders—a lot 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 larger training however really goal upper-caste members of society and are discriminatory. College students additionally staged a protest in entrance of Lucknow College.

Based on 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 deal with complaints, significantly from SC, ST, and OBC college students.

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

A serious concern for basic class college students and BJP leaders is the elimination of a piece on “false complaints” from the draft. The sooner draft offered for fines or disciplinary motion in instances of “false complaints of discrimination”.

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

“I wish to guarantee everybody that nobody will probably be subjected to harassment and there will probably be no discrimination. Nobody could have the best 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 inside the framework of the Structure. So far as this situation is anxious, it comes beneath the Supreme Court docket’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 a right away 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 honest to all. The dearth of steadiness within the UGC’s new fairness rules is creating an environment of tension 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 premise of caste is simply not proper. By means of this they’re attempting 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 flawed and the legislation ought to apply to all. The way in which protests are happening throughout the nation, I’m certain the federal government will take into account it and take motion. UGC itself ought to evaluate and roll again its choice,” he informed the media.

A number of BJP leaders have additionally questioned get together 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 get together leaders in these consultations didn’t even spotlight basic class college students’ issues. The get together must take speedy steps, or will probably be too late. Protests are spiraling throughout the nation—speedy motion is required,” mentioned a senior BJP chief.

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

Notified on January 13, the brand new guidelines changed the UGC (Promotion of Fairness in Increased Instructional Establishments) Rules, 2012. The target is to “eradicate discrimination solely on the premise of faith, race, gender, native land, caste, or incapacity, significantly towards members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, socially and educationally backward lessons, economically weaker sections, individuals with disabilities, or any of them, and to advertise full fairness and inclusion amongst stakeholders in larger training establishments.”

“If we don’t protest now, nothing will occur. Occasion is vital, however so is our self-respect. Normal class members have been handled unfairly for a while, and this issues our kids’s future. We are able to’t let anybody jeopardise it. Many senior leaders are quiet as a result of their youngsters 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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