India

Centre Considers Review of UGC Equity Rules Amid Upper‑Caste Protests

By TNN

NEW DELHI – The government is reportedly considering a fresh review of the University Grants Commission (UGC) equity regulations, a move seen as an attempt to placate agitating upper‑caste groups while avoiding a new caste controversy ahead of the assembly elections, especially in Uttar Pradesh. The regulations, which extend specific protection against caste‑based discrimination to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) alongside Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), sparked protests among general‑category students who feared exclusion and possible misuse of the provisions.

On Thursday, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that it was contemplating setting up a committee to reconsider the regulations, ensuring that no section of students felt excluded or apprehensive. The decision gives the government time to revisit the issue without committing to either withdrawing or retaining the rules.

Upper‑caste organisations have demanded a complete rollback of the regulations, and their protests have caused unease within the BJP. Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh have been leading the government’s outreach to agitating youth outfits. Both ministers met representatives of the Kshatriya Karni Sena‑led ‘UGC Rollback Campaign’ in September, after which a proposed mahapanchayat was postponed.

The January notification caused resentment among sections of general‑category students who felt the regulations portrayed upper castes as the principal perpetrators of caste discrimination. The absence of a specific provision against false complaints added to their concerns.

At the heart of the controversy is the wording of the regulations. One provision defines caste‑based discrimination specifically as unfair treatment of SC, ST and OBC members, while another prohibits discrimination against any student, including on caste grounds. General‑category students argue that this creates confusion over whether they would receive the same protection if they face caste‑based discrimination. Supporters of the regulations argue that historically disadvantaged communities need specific safeguards against discrimination.

For the BJP, a complete withdrawal carries political risks. OBCs and Dalits form an important part of its social coalition, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where caste identities remain politically sensitive.