‘Capable Of Misuse, Vague’: New UGC ‘Anti-Discrimination’ Rules Stayed By SC Amid Student Protests, Notice Issued To Centre

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the implementation of the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly notified anti-discrimination regulations, expressing concern over their vague provisions and the possibility of misuse. The court observed that the rules, in their current form, could have far-reaching consequences and risk dividing society.

Issuing notice to the Centre and the UGC, the top court ordered that the controversial regulations will remain until further orders.

Supreme Court stays new UGC rules

The apex court further said that for now, the 2012 UGC regulations will continue to apply. The Court underscored that there is complete vagueness in Regulation 3(C) (which defines caste-based discrimination), and it can be misused. “The language needs to be re-modified,” the Court stated.

The new regulations, introduced to curb caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, require institutions to establish special committees and helplines to address complaints, especially from students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) categories.

General category students have widely criticized the new regulation of UGC claiming that the framework may result in discrimination against them. 

Why are students protesting against new UGC regulations? 

Earlier on Wednesday, January 28, students, mostly from general category, raised a protest at Delhi University’s North Campus against the UGC equity rules, demanding their immediate withdrawal.

The protesters claimed that the rules will lead to promoting discrimination on campuses instead of equality. They also highlighted that there was no provision mentioned for the general category students.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday, January 27, showed concerns over the new UGC regulations. He assured that the law would not be misused and that there would be no discrimination in its implementation.

 “I assure everyone there will be no discrimination, and no one can misuse the law,” Pradhan said.  

On Tuesday, students in Lucknow staged a protest in front of Lucknow University, raising slogans against the UGC policies.

Shyam Sundar Tripathi, the BJP Kisan Morcha’s vice president from the Salon seat in Rae Bareli, had already resigned from his position due to his displeasure with the new UGC regulations. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tripathi declared his resignation. 

“Due to the black law, like the reservation bill, brought against the children of the upper caste, I am resigning from my post. This law is extremely dangerous for society and also divisive. I am completely dissatisfied with the bill. There is great resentment. I do not support this reservation bill. Supporting such an unethical bill is completely against my self-respect and ideology,” said Tripathi.

Read more: Why Are Students Protesting Against UGC’s New Equity Rules? All You Need To Know About The Uproar On Anti-Casteism Rules As They Dub It Exclusionary