Campus, Caste, Clash: BJP Faces 'Brahmin Backlash'?

Are colleges in India being turned into a battleground for caste struggle? Are the new UGC regulations unfairly targeting upper-caste students, leaving them vulnerable to discrimination and false cases? These questions are now at the centre of a nationwide debate-one that has spilled out of online spaces and onto the streets.

Protests erupted across the country today against the new UGC guidelines. But what exactly are these regulations, and what do they seek to do?

At the heart of the controversy is a new set of rules officially titled the "Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026." These regulations apply to all higher educational institutions across India. Their stated objective is to eliminate caste-based discrimination on campuses and ensure equal treatment for all students and staff in colleges and universities.

It is important to note that these regulations were framed by the UGC following directions from the Supreme Court of India. In 2019, the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi filed a PIL in the apex court, seeking a robust mechanism to address caste-based discrimination in educational institutions. Acting on this, the Supreme Court directed the creation of a "very strong and robust mechanism" to tackle the issue.

These new rules were finally notified in January this year and will replace the similarly titled UGC Regulations of 2012.