Uttar Pradesh joined the entire country in holding protests against the new rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which allegedly discriminate against upper-caste students.
The resignation of a PCS officer in Bareilly and an open protest by the ruling BJP leaders have aggravated the issue. The Karni Sena held a march in Lucknow against this law.
Former governor and senior BJP Brahim leader Kalraj Mishra too has opposed this new UGC law and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
In Lucknow, on Tuesday, Lucknow University students protested against the UGC, demanding the withdrawal of the regulations. In view of the student protests on campus, the police administration deployed a heavy presence, effectively turning the entire campus into a police garrison.
The protesting students at Gate Number One of the university stated that the new equity rules are vague and arbitrary. They argued that these rules are creating confusion in academic institutions, and there is a risk of their misuse in the future.
The protesting students alleged that institutional committees have been given excessive powers, while no concrete safeguards have been put in place to protect against false accusations. This increases the likelihood of unequal or incorrect application of the rules in different colleges.
The students termed these rules “black laws” and demanded their withdrawal, alleging that they are discriminatory against general category students and will promote false cases and division on campus. However, the university administration has warned of action against the protesting students, accusing them of disrupting examinations.
After protesting at Gate Number One, the students collectively moved to Gate Number Three and continued their protest. During this time, the police remained deployed throughout the campus to prevent any untoward incidents.
A report from Varanasi said that a demonstration was held against the new rules at the Varanasi district headquarters on Tuesday. The main demand of the protesters is that the rule be immediately withdrawn. They allege that the academic lives of students from the general category (upper castes) in higher educational institutions are now under threat.
Anshu Mishra said, “Our protest is not against any particular caste, but the new rules are creating fear among students from the upper caste community. This will have a negative impact on their academic lives.”
Avinash Mishra, Purvanchal in-charge of Karni Sena, said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s slogan is ‘If we divide, we will be defeated,’ but the government itself is creating division. If there is a dispute between two students in an educational institution, how can it be justified to take action against one student based on the complaint of the other? This will jeopardize their future.”
Advocate S.K. Singh said, “This law has created a new kind of controversy in the country. It should either be withdrawn or necessary amendments should be made to it. Students, former students, lawyers, and people from various organizations participated in today’s protest. Police officers, administrative officials, and adequate security forces were deployed at the district headquarters during the demonstration.”
Another report from Prayagraj said hundreds of people from the upper caste community took to the streets in a protest march, demonstrating strongly against the UGC.
They carried placards, chanted slogans, and displayed palpable anger. The entire area resonated with anti-UGC slogans.
The upper caste community and student organizations allege that this rule, in the name of equality, will promote division in higher education. Led by BJP Yuva Morcha leader Shivam Mishra, hundreds of protesters marched through Nawabganj market today, chanting slogans like “Withdraw the anti-upper caste UGC rule,” and “No equality in higher education, only division,” and warned the government that if the bill is not reconsidered, the movement will be intensified.
During the protest, the BJP Yuva Morcha leader said that while the government talks about equality on one hand, it is introducing a bill on the other hand that will leave a deep scar on the future of coming generations. He said that this rule will prove fatal for students and teachers of the general category.
It is noteworthy that the UGC implemented the Equity in Higher Education Regulations 2026 this year. The stated objective of these regulations is to prevent discrimination in universities and colleges and to provide equal opportunities to all students and staff.