New Delhi, November 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has termed the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Equity Regulations, 2026, “unbalanced”, urging the Centre to ensure that any future decision on the framework takes into account the concerns of all stakeholders.
In a statement shared on X by ‘Friends of RSS’, an independent social media account run by RSS swayamsevaks, the organisation said it had already conveyed its objections to the authorities. It added that both the Union government and the UGC had taken note of the concerns.
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar said the organisation believed that any decision taken going forward must be fair, balanced and inclusive. He also stressed that the Centre should maintain the same position before the Supreme Court, which has put the regulations on hold. The matter remains sub-judice.
Ambekar cautioned against allowing the dispute over a government circular to strain social relations, emphasising the need to preserve unity and harmony in society.
The controversy centres on the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, notified on January 13. The rules were introduced to address caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions but have faced objections over the definition of discrimination and the categories of students covered by the provisions.
The process leading to the regulations followed a 2019 public interest litigation in the Supreme Court filed by Radhika Vemula and Abeda Salim Tadvi, mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who died by suicide after facing alleged caste-based discrimination at their respective universities.
In early 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to establish a robust mechanism to address such incidents. It also allowed stakeholders to submit suggestions as the UGC prepared the draft regulations.
The RSS said discrimination must be addressed, while maintaining that the framework should be fair and take wider social concerns into account.
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