Pramod Tiwari welcomes stay on UGC Equity Regulations, accuses BJP of indulging in ‘divide and rule’ politics

Deputy leader of Congress in the Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari has welcomed the interim order of the Supreme Court staying the implementation of the University Grants Commission’s new Equity Regulations, 2026.

He said the apex court’s decision to put the new UGC regulations on hold and to constitute a committee of experts and scholars to examine the matter is a step in the right direction. He noted that until the committee submits its recommendations, the old UGC rules will continue to remain in force.

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Launching a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government, Tiwari alleged that it is functioning in the spirit of the British-era policy of “divide and rule”. He claimed that the BJP government is deliberately dividing people on the basis of caste, religion, class, and region to retain power. According to him, such divisive politics has been ingrained in the BJP’s DNA, and over the past nearly 11 years, the Modi government has been spreading hatred in society in the name of caste and religion.

The Congress leader further alleged that while taking oath on the Constitution, the government has undermined constitutional values. It is now attempting to divert public attention from pressing issues such as inflation, unemployment, rising prices of diesel, petrol and cooking gas, and unfulfilled promises like depositing Rs 15 lakh in people’s accounts.

Describing the Supreme Court’s interim order as a “resounding slap” on the face of the Central government, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the nation for the policies that, he alleged, have led to social and class conflicts.

He added that it is the duty of any government to restore peace wherever there is unrest, but accused the BJP government of instead fuelling divisions for political gain. Tiwari claimed that the BJP is neither working in the interest of the country nor its citizens and is willing to go to any extent for the sake of power.

He expressed the hope that the Supreme Court’s decision would pave the way for social harmony, and he particularly welcomed the remarks of the Chief Justice of India, who, he said, raised serious questions about the “policy and intent” of the central government.