UGC’s new equity regulation is being opposed. Meanwhile, a reaction has come from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). RJD MLA from Maner, Patna, Bhai Virendra gave a big statement on the ongoing controversy regarding UGC and said that whatever decision has been taken, it should definitely be implemented.

Brother Virendra gave this statement on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) in Arrah, Bihar. RJD MLA said that the people who are opposing this are those who are against the society and do not want the children of poor, Dalit and deprived sections to progress. Bhai Virendra clearly said that it is necessary to strengthen the stream of social justice and opposition to UGC is not justified in any way.

‘No decision is possible without the consent of the executive’

On the other hand, he also responded to the questions being raised regarding the new responsibility given to Tejashwi Yadav in RJD. He said that the National Executive played an important role in Tejashwi Yadav becoming the working president and he himself is a member of the National Executive. No decision is possible without the consent of the executive. Congratulating Tejashwi Yadav, he said that RJD will move forward under his leadership. Bihar will get a young Chief Minister in the coming days.

Attacking the government on the issue of law and order in Bihar, the Maner MLA said that crime is continuously increasing in the state. Every section (farmers, laborers, students, women, men, journalists and leaders) is feeling insecure. Claimed that the crime has also broken the record of the so-called ‘Jungle Raj’, on which the Supreme Court and the High Court used to comment. The MLA urged the judiciary to observe the current situation in Bihar and take cognizance of it.

Responding to Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary’s statement regarding the police, the MLA said that an atmosphere of intimidation is being created by talking about using weapons. He also raised questions regarding the encounter. Said that the action seems to be taken only against people of select society and caste, while others are getting protection.

RJD MLA targets CM’s visit

On the other hand, taking a dig at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Samriddhi Yatra, the Maner MLA said that this yatra is limited only to taking the officials along, so that a message can be given to the public. Let us tell you that on Tuesday, educationist Late. The fourth death anniversary of Ram Ballabh Prasad Singh was celebrated in Dhandiha village under Koilwar block of Bhojpur district. Brother Virendra had arrived on this occasion.

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With the intention of eliminating discrimination in higher education institutions, UGC has implemented the new Equity Rules of 2026. Student organizations have considered this a positive step, but at the same time the debate has also intensified whether these rules will remain just paper reforms or will they actually provide justice to the marginalized students.

The objective of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equality in Higher Education Institutions) Rules, 2026, issued on January 13, is said to be to prevent discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, sex, place of birth or disability. All India Students Association (AISA) has welcomed these guidelines, but the organization says that these rules did not come suddenly, but are the result of years of pressure from student movements and institutional failures.

Student deaths revealed layers of the system

AISA President Neha and General Secretary Prasenjit said that cases like Rohit Vemula, Payal Tadvi and Darshan Solanki highlighted how deeply caste oppression exists in universities. These incidents also proved that the UGC guidelines of 2012 were not effective at the ground level. According to AISA, the new rules are a forced move following social anger and judicial interventions.

Inclusion of OBC, an important but late step

In the rules of 2026, backward class i.e. OBC has also been brought under the ambit of equality and security. Student organizations consider this a constitutionally necessary and welcome change. He says that till now the discrimination against backward castes has been continuously ignored at the legal and institutional level.

EOC expansion and new arrangements

The role of Equal Opportunity Centers (EOC) has been made broader than ever before in the rules. Now these will not be just advisory units, but arrangements like Equity Committee, 24-hour Equity Helpline, Equity Squad and Equity Ambassador have also been proposed to investigate complaints.

Conflict of interest hidden in the structure

AISA alleges that the rules did not make it mandatory that the EOC coordinator or the chairperson of the equity committee be from a marginalized community. On the contrary, the head of the institute has been made the ex-officio chairperson. Due to this, the real power once again gets confined in the hands of the head of the institution and questions are raised on impartiality.

Still fog on representation

The situation regarding representation of SC, ST, OBC and women in the Equity Committee is not clear. Be it faculty or students, the terms of representation are said to be vague and incomplete, which casts doubt on the effectiveness of the committee.

Definition of discrimination, shield for the powerful

The definition of discrimination in the rules has been kept very broad and abstract. The lack of reference to any concrete action or example leaves institutions free to interpret it arbitrarily. Critics believe that this blurring can become a way to avoid accountability.

Statistics that raise concerns

UGC data itself shows that between 2019 and 2024, there has been a 118 percent increase in complaints of caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. AISA calls this a result of the caste structure created at the institutional and state level.

Student organizations believe that although the coming of rules is positive, it is a step taken too late. Without major and concrete reforms, these guidelines may remain mere cosmetic progressivism, which may appear strong on paper but prove weak in practice.

AISA demands, accountability along with rules is necessary

Welcoming the UGC Equity Regulations, 2026, AISA has demanded that necessary amendments should be made in it soon. The organization says that without real accountability, meaningful representation and real protection for marginalized communities, these rules will not be able to fulfill their purpose.

Also read – UGC New Rules: Why are general category students protesting against the new UGC rules? Know the whole matter

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Controversy has intensified across the country regarding the new rules 2026 implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Especially students and organizations of the general category are openly protesting against it. They say that this rule is one-sided in the name of equality and can create a situation of fear, distrust and conflict in the campus. The matter is now taking a social as well as political form.

When did the whole controversy start?
The whole controversy started on January 13, 2026, when the UGC implemented the ‘Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026’. This rule is based on the principle of ‘equality and inclusion’ given in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Its objective is said to be to prevent complaints of discrimination in colleges and universities and to create a definite system for their resolution.

What does UGC say?
UGC claims that this rule has been brought to prevent discrimination against Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), disabled students, teachers and employees. The Commission says that complaints of caste discrimination are continuously increasing in higher education institutions and that is why such strict rules have become necessary.

Provision to form equity committee
Under the new rule, it has been made mandatory to form an equity committee of 9 members in every university and college.
This committee will include:

• head of institute
• three professors
• an employee
• two ordinary citizens
• two specially invited students
• a co-ordinator
• According to the rules, out of these 9, at least 5 members will have to be from SC, ST, OBC, disabled or women category.

The protest started from here
Critics and students say that there is no mandatory representation for the general category in this entire system. They allege that even though the law has been brought to stop discrimination, it will impact students from the general category the most. Students fear that as soon as the complaint is filed, they will already be considered guilty.

Statistics of discrimination complaints
According to the figures presented by the UGC before the Parliament Committee and the Supreme Court, 173 complaints were received in 2019-20, 378 complaints in 2023-24 and a total of 1160 complaints were received in five years. That means there has been an increase of about 118 percent in complaints. But critics are also putting forward the other side of these figures.

The other side of the data is that at present there are 1153 universities, more than 48 thousand colleges in the country, about 4 crore 20 lakh students are studying. Even if about 50 percent of these students are considered to be from SC, ST, OBC, EWS and disabled category, still the percentage of those complaining of discrimination is only about 0.0018 percent. Critics say that it is wrong to bring the entire general category under suspicion on the basis of so few complaints.

Lack of action on wrong complaints
The biggest concern of students and experts is that there is no clear provision in the new rule for strict punishment on those who make false complaints. It has only been said that if someone is dissatisfied with the committee’s decision, he can appeal within 30 days. The Ombudsman will also have to dispose of the appeal within 30 days, but no punishment has been fixed for those making false allegations. Due to this, students fear that the law may be misused.

Why is the opposition increasing?
Students and social organizations say that they are against discrimination, but the law should be equal for all. The possibility of misuse cannot be ignored. It is important to maintain an atmosphere of trust on campus.

Controversy is increasing these days regarding the new UGC rules 2026 implemented in the universities and colleges of the country. While the government and UGC are calling it a big step towards ending discrimination, the general category students are openly opposing it. Students say that these rules look at them with suspicion and can discriminate against them. For this reason, demonstrations have also started in many states.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) says that the purpose of the new rules is not to go against any one class, but to create an environment of equality and justice in higher education institutions. He believes that many times students from weaker and backward classes have to face discrimination, due to which their studies and mental condition are affected. According to UGC, these rules have been brought so that no student is treated unfairly on the basis of caste, class or background and the complaint can be resolved in time.

The government also says that there will be a complete process of investigation under the rules, so that no action is taken against anyone without evidence. Supporters believe that if the rules are implemented properly, it will increase trust in the campus, reduce discrimination and all students will be able to get safe and equal opportunities.

What is the new rule of UGC?

UGC has implemented new rules in 2026, the purpose of which is to prevent any kind of discrimination against students studying in colleges and universities. Under this, it has been made necessary to create equity committee and grievance redressal system in every institution, so that students can lodge their complaints without fear. UGC says that these rules are to create an equal, safe and respectful environment for all students and every complaint will be investigated as per the rules.

Why do general category students have objection?

General category students say that in the new UGC rules, more emphasis has been laid on the safety of certain categories of students, while the rights of all the students have not been clarified equally. The students are worried that while implementing the rules, it may happen that the general category students are already considered wrong. They believe that it is necessary to stop discrimination, but at the same time it is also necessary that every student is assured of equal protection and fair trial, so that no one is treated unfairly without a thorough investigation. No.

fear of fake complaints

The biggest concern of the students is that in the new rules there is no clear provision for punishment for making fake or false complaints. Due to this they fear that anyone can complain without concrete evidence and their future could be spoiled.

Students’ problems regarding representation in the committee

According to the new UGC rules, it is necessary to include SC, ST, OBC, women and disabled people in the committees to be formed in colleges and universities. But it has not been made mandatory to include any member from the general category. Students are raising questions about this. He says that if there are not people from all sections of society in the committee, then the decisions will not be fair and in some cases the discussion may also be one-sided.

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