New Delhi, Ahead of the March 19 Supreme Court hearing on the stayed University Grants Commission equity regulations, activists here on Tuesday sought the immediate implementation of the norms, citing the need to address caste-based discrimination in higher education institutes.
The demand was raised during a public hearing-cum-press conference organised at the Press Club of India by the All India Forum for Equity and Samta Sangharsh Samiti.
Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of the regulations in tackling discrimination in universities.
A row erupted after the UGC notified the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, on January 13, making it mandatory for all higher education institutions affiliated to it to constitute equity committees comprising members from OBC, SC and ST communities to address complaints of discrimination and promote inclusion.
The move drew backlash from several quarters, with many claiming the regulations could be misused to foment caste-based discontent and vitiate the academic environment.
Following the backlash, the Supreme Court on January 29 had stayed the recent UGC equity regulations on preventing caste-based discrimination on campuses, saying the framework is "prima facie vague", can have "very sweeping consequences" and may end up dividing society with a "dangerous impact".
Delhi University faculty member, Kanchan, criticised "institutional murders" in universities and stressed the importance of clauses 3 and 3 .
Senior journalist Anil Chamadia said, "The resistance to UGC regulations reflects the hierarchical structure of Indian society operating behind a constitutional mask."
