New Delhi: The outrage over the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new rules continues to spiral, with many within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) openly opposing them and demanding reconsideration, saying they could lead to ‘reverse discrimination’. Resignations and letters against the rules keep pouring in.
The University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, apply to all higher education institutions (HEIs) across India. They have drawn criticism from general category students as well as BJP leaders—many of whom have resigned in protest.
On Monday evening, 11 BJP office-bearers resigned, protesting the new UGC regulations. In their letter, the workers said the BJP was deviating from the purpose for which it was formed. “By implementing the UGC law our children’s future is being jeopardised and due to this we are resigning from our positions,” the letter reads.
Several BJP leaders allege the rules, notified by the UGC on 13 January, were introduced in the name of equality in higher education but actually target upper-caste members of society and are discriminatory. Students also staged a protest in front of Lucknow University.
According to the government, the new rules are meant to curb caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, requiring institutions to establish special committees, helplines, and monitoring teams to address complaints, particularly from SC, ST, and OBC students.
But several upper-caste organisations claim the provisions might be misused for false complaints against students and faculty from their communities.
A major concern for general category students and BJP leaders is the removal of a section on “false complaints” from the draft. The earlier draft provided for fines or disciplinary action in cases of “false complaints of discrimination”.
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: “I assure everyone there will be no discrimination and no one can misuse the law.”
“I want to assure everyone that no one will be subjected to harassment and there will be no discrimination. No one will have the right to misuse anything in the name of discrimination. Whether it is the UGC, the Government of India, or the state government, it will be their responsibility. I assure you that whatever system or arrangement is made in India will be within the framework of the Constitution. As far as this issue is concerned, it comes under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction, and I want to reassure you that no injustice, oppression, or discrimination will be committed against anyone,” Dharmendra Pradhan told media persons.
In Agra, as per media reports, BJP leader Jagdish Pachauri—who once served as deputy chairman of the municipal corporation—wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in blood, demanding an immediate rollback of the UGC rules.
Former Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Sanjay Sinh also criticised the move: “Justice is meaningful only when it is equal and fair to all. The lack of balance in the UGC’s new equity regulations is creating an atmosphere of anxiety and apprehension within educational institutions. Why is the definition of discrimination so limited? Why are there no clear provisions for penalties for false complaints? It is requested that these rules be made caste-neutral, transparent and safe for all so that no innocent person is exploited,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra claimed UGC officials made the decision without clear reasoning, benefiting no one.
“Dividing people on the basis of caste is just not right. Through this they are trying to divide Hindu society on caste lines. No one will benefit. There has to be equal treatment for everyone in colleges and educational institutions. Ragging is wrong and the law should apply to all. The way protests are taking place across the country, I am sure the government will consider it and take action. UGC itself should review and roll back its decision,” he told the media.
Several BJP leaders have also questioned party members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, who made recommendations to the UGC. BJP members in the standing committee include MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Rekha Sharma, Ghanshyam Tiwari, Sambit Patra and Ravi Shankar Prasad among others.
“These regulations were not formulated in a day. Committees deliberated for so long, and our own party leaders in those consultations did not even highlight general category students’ concerns. The party needs to take immediate steps, or it will be too late. Protests are spiraling across the country—immediate action is required,” said a senior BJP leader.
Sources say the government is likely to issue a clarification explaining the intent of the rules. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai dodged a direct response when asked by media persons if the regulations would be reviewed.
Notified on January 13, the new rules replaced the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012. The objective is to “eradicate discrimination only on the basis of religion, race, gender, place of birth, caste, or disability, particularly against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, socially and educationally backward classes, economically weaker sections, persons with disabilities, or any of them, and to promote full equity and inclusion amongst stakeholders in higher education institutions.”
“If we do not protest now, nothing will happen. Party is important, but so is our self-respect. General category members have been treated unfairly for some time, and this concerns our children’s future. We can’t let anyone jeopardise it. Many senior leaders are quiet because their kids study abroad, but we have to answer our youth,” said a BJP functionary.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: ‘Underestimating upper caste unity’: Resentment & resignations within BJP over new UGC rules