Welcoming the UGC regulations to promote equity and reform in higher education institutions, though much delayed, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday warned the Union government against diluting them in the face of the ‘rollback backlash’ orchestrated by anti-Mandal regressive forces.
The Chief Minister also expressed serious concern about keeping institutional heads, many of whom are RSS supporters, in the Equity Committees, as it would raise questions about the independent functioning of the panels. “Cases like the suicide of #RohithVemula, where VCs themselves faced allegations, make it difficult to see how Equity Committees chaired by institutional heads can function independently, especially when many higher education institutions are led by RSS supporters,” he wrote in a post on his ‘X’ handle.
In the view of Stalin, also the DMK president, the ascent of the BJP at the Union Government has seen a corresponding rise not only in student suicides in top-notch institutions but also attacks on Kashmiri, South Indian, and minority students. “Since the BJP came to power at the Union level, there has been a visible rise in student suicides within Indian HEIs, particularly among SC and ST students. This has been accompanied by repeated attacks and harassment targeting students from South India, Kashmir and minority communities,” said the post.
Given this context, he said, “The #UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations 2026 is a delayed but welcome step in reforming a higher education system scarred by deep-rooted discrimination and institutional apathy… In this context, equity safeguards are not a matter of choice but an unavoidable necessity. The stated goals of dismantling caste discrimination and the inclusion of #OBCs within this framework deserve support.”
On the backlash from certain sections against the regulations, he said, “As seen during the implementation of reservations based on #MandalCommission recommendations, the present #UGC Rollback backlash is driven by the same regressive mindset. The Union Government might not allow such pressure to dilute these regulations or their core objectives.” Further, calling for strengthening these measures, he said, “If the Union BJP Government is serious about preventing student deaths, ending discrimination, and reducing dropout rates among students from backward communities, these regulations must not only be strengthened but also revised to address their structural gaps with real accountability.”