New UGC Regulations on Promoting Equity in Higher Education
Introduction
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed concerns regarding the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations aimed at promoting equity in higher education. These rules have sparked protests, with allegations of discrimination against "general category" students.
Supreme Court Supervision
The regulations were notified under the Supreme Court's supervision, ensuring no discrimination or misuse occurs under the guise of discrimination.
Protests and Legal Challenges
- Protests occurred in cities like Lucknow, Indore, and New Delhi.
- Multiple petitions challenging the framework have been filed in the Supreme Court.
Key Features of the Regulations
- Defines "caste-based discrimination" as targeting SCs, STs, and OBCs.
- Excludes a proposed provision to penalize false complaints from the final version.
Criticism and Support
- Critics argue the regulations do not recognize "general category" students as potential victims, leading to claims of discrimination.
- The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) finds the regulations "well-intentioned" but calls for more clarity.
- The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) supports the regulations as necessary for addressing discrimination.
Background and Development
The regulations emerged from Supreme Court proceedings on petitions filed in 2019 by parents of students who committed suicide, arguing the inadequacy of the 2012 regulations. The new framework includes OBCs in the definition of "caste-based discrimination," dropping the provision for false complaint penalties after parliamentary recommendations.
