New Delhi: The new University Grants Commission’s rules to combat caste discrimination on campuses, which triggered widespread outrage amongst general category students, have drawn criticism from within the BJP too, with some upper caste leaders expressing displeasure and a few local leaders even resigning party posts.
The UGC, an autonomous body which functions under the Education Ministry, has introduced the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which apply to all higher education institutions (HEIs) across India.
Aimed at eliminating caste-based discrimination and ensuring equal treatment of all students and staff in colleges and universities, the new regulations define caste-based discrimination as any unfair treatment of an individual solely because of their caste or tribe. The latest regulations have been severely criticised by a section of society, with many demanding a rollback.
Protesting against the regulations, upper caste students have alleged the rules are one-sided and, in the name of preventing discrimination, could in fact promote “reverse bias” against them.
Sections of the upper caste and general category students claim the new regulations are vulnerable to misuse. They point out that Equity Committees—to be constituted by the head of the institution to prevent discrimination—will have representation only from reserved categories.
They claim the norms do not spell out adequate safeguards against false or malicious complaints. Some students and faculty warn that the regulations may promote a culture of surveillance on campuses.
Amid the escalating criticism, several BJP leaders claim the move will backfire, further isolating the upper caste section of society from the BJP.
“Already, such decisions have been taken by the government, which are quite critical of the Savarna (upper caste), and now this will impact our children, the younger generation. In today’s time, when the provisions of reservation itself are being challenged, we are bringing such regulations! This is completely unacceptable,” said a senior BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh.
The regulations have also been criticised by the Karni Sena (a Rajput organisation), which said the rules have been brought to suppress the Savarna society. The Karni Sena threatened to launch large-scale protests if the regulations are not rolled back.
‘The Party’s tally got reduced to 240 (in 2024 LS polls), & conclusion that was drawn was that it was because SC & ST communities didn’t support BJP. If this (UGC norms) is not withdrawn, party will have to face consequences,’ says BJP leader from UP.
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Letter to PM
A few local BJP leaders have expressed anger over the move and resigned party posts. Shyam Sundar Tripathi, the district president of the BJP’s Kisan Morcha in Salon (Rae Bareli), wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and resigned from his party post.
“I have resigned from my post as a mark of protest. I am still a primary member of the party, but the regulations that have been introduced are completely unjust and against the general category students,” Tripathi, who joined the BJP in 2019, told ThePrint.
In his letter to the PM on January 25, Tripathi said he was resigning his post due to the “black laws” like the UGC rules brought “against the children of upper castes”.
“This law is extremely harmful to society and is divisive. I am completely against it. I cannot support such unethical regulations as they are completely at odds with my self-respect and ideology,” he added.
According to a senior party leader, many upper caste leaders feel the party has been taking them for granted.
“The party’s tally got reduced to 240, and the conclusion that was drawn was that it was because the SC and ST communities did not support the BJP. They have been coming up with one scheme after another for their welfare, and we have kept quiet. But now, it is about the future of our children, and the move is completely discriminatory. If this is not withdrawn, the party will have to face consequences,” said a senior BJP leader.
“They are underestimating the unity of the upper castes. If they get together, no one will be able to counter us. The party needs to introspect,” he added.
Devendra Pratap Singh, a senior Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council member, also raised serious objections to the UGC regulations. Singh wrote a letter to the UGC on 22 January, warning that the move could “fracture social harmony and intensify caste conflict” across the country.
He urged the UGC to reconsider the framework. Singh said the regulations, as framed, could disturb the social balance and widen caste-based divisions. He stressed that while equity is necessary, it must not undermine social cohesion or marginalise any section of students.
“The decision made by the University Grants Commission (UGC) will shatter social harmony and increase caste conflict in society. This will create a deep divide in society and destroy the learning environment in universities and higher education institutions. This regulation is highly likely to be misused,” Singh wrote in the letter. He told ThePrint that he has communicated only with the UGC so far.
“The regulation you have created will become a powerful weapon for the oppression of the general category. The objective of the University Grants Commission (UGC) 2026 (regulations) should be to prevent the oppression of Dalit and backward class students, not to make general category students insecure,” he added.
Another BJP leader, Mrigendra Upadhyay from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh, also resigned, according to media reports, terming it the UGC norms anti-Brahmins and against the general category.
मोदी है तो मुमकिन है,विश्वास रखिए UGC नोटिफिकेशन की सभी भ्रान्तियों को दूर किया जाएगा । संविधान को आर्टिकलों 14 एवं 15 के अनुसार अनुसूचित जाति,अनुसूचित जनजाति,पिछड़े वर्ग और सामान्य वर्ग में कोई फर्क नहीं है। 10 प्रतिशत आरक्षण सामान्य वर्ग को केवल और केवल माननीय प्रधानमंत्री मोदी…
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) January 25, 2026
Concerned over the criticism the party is facing from outside as well as within, Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP and senior party leader, tried to address the issue. He said as long as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is there, no harm will come to the children of the general category.
“Modi ji, on becoming the prime minister, secured recognition from the Supreme Court for the upper caste society and provided 10 percent reservation – this is the truth,” he posted on January 24.
Upholding Article 14 of the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar is in keeping with the Constitution’s core spirit, and it cannot be tampered with, he said. “Do not fall for misleading claims. Under Modi ji’s leadership, there will be no discrimination in a BJP government—this is Modi’s guarantee, which even a small worker like me is giving you.”
Dubey reiterated the point in multiple posts on X and questioned the “misunderstanding” being created. “Rest assured, the UGC’s rule will apply equally to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, as well as the general category. This is not politics; the country runs on the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar ji.”
“Modi hai toh mumkin hai. All misconceptions regarding the UGC notification will be cleared. According to Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, there is no difference between the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Backward Classes, and the General Category,” he wrote on X on Sunday.
‘After implementation of Mandal Commission in 1990, all political parties in this country formed governments, but justice was delivered only by Modi ji. Wait and watch—misconceptions about UGC will also come to an end,’ BJP leader Nishikant Dubey.
However, many pointed out on his posts that, as per the regulations, caste-based discrimination refers to discrimination based on caste or tribe against members of SC, ST and OBC communities.
Dubey argued that the 10 percent reservation for the general category was granted solely and exclusively because of Prime Minister Modi. “After the implementation of the Mandal Commission in 1990, all political parties in this country formed governments, but justice was delivered only by Modi ji. Wait and watch– the misconceptions about UGC will also come to an end,” he added.
With Uttar Pradesh assembly elections due in early 2027, many leaders feel, the issue can take a political angle.
‘Discrimination in application’
Senior Congress leader and general secretary of the party, Jitendra Singh Alwar criticised the government over the move.
“Discrimination based on religion, caste, gender, and background is unacceptable not only in educational institutions/universities/colleges but also in any civilized society. The ‘Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026’ implemented by the UGC appears to be an attempt to divide students against each other and turn them into adversaries,” he posted on X.
The UGC’s new guidelines highlight the central government’s intention, which is anti-student, aimed at targeting and misleading students while seeking to dismantle our educational institutions, he claimed.
धर्म, जाति, जेंडर और बैकग्राउंड के आधार पर होने वाला भेदभाव एजुकेशनल इंस्टीट्यूट/यूनिवर्सिटी/कॉलेज के साथ ही किसी भी सभ्य समाज में स्वीकार्य नहीं है।
UGC द्वारा लागू किए गए 'Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026' स्टूडेंट्स को आपस में बांटने, एक…
— Jitendra Singh Alwar (@JitendraSAlwar) January 26, 2026
Former Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu said, “The Modi government believes that with the help of these rules, it will prove itself to be the champion of social justice, and it will gain the trust of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, as well as Other Backward Classes. After suffering a severe defeat in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Modi considers this his masterstroke”.
Among other Opposition parties, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi too raised strong objections to the regulations.
“Any form of caste-based discrimination on campus is wrong, and in India, many students have already suffered the dire consequences of it. But shouldn’t the law be inclusive and ensure protection is guaranteed to all? Why this discrimination in the application of the law?” she posted on X.
She further questioned the absence of safeguards against misuse of these regulations and what happens in case of false cases being filed.
“How will guilt be determined? How should discrimination be defined—through words, actions, or perceptions? The process of implementing the law should be clear, precise and equitable for all. Therefore, instead of creating a negative atmosphere on campus, I urge that the UGC’s notification be either withdrawn or amended as necessary.”
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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