Nationwide Protests Erupt Over UGC's New Equity Guidelines On Campus Discrimination

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India Today Video Desk

UPDATED: Jan 27, 2026 22:42 IST

This news report examines the nationwide confrontation triggered by the University Grants Commission's (UGC) new equity guidelines aimed at addressing campus discrimination. The speaker notes that while the government insists 'adequate safeguards are in place,' upper caste groups have labelled the rules as biased and 'dangerous,' leading to protests and legal challenges in the Supreme Court. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has clarified that the government will ensure there is no misuse of the law and that no discrimination will occur. However, the report highlights a growing political divide, with the NSUI welcoming the move while some BJP leaders express displeasure. The programme questions whether these regulations represent a tool for social justice or a form of 'reverse discrimination' due to the lack of upper caste representation in equity committees. As the debate intensifies, the central government faces mounting pressure to decide between a formal review or a complete rollback of the controversial guidelines.

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