Controversy over the new UGC rules has escalated across the country. Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has made an important statement. “I assure everyone, there will be no discrimination. No one will abuse the law. No one will be harassed,” he said. Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the UGC rules. The petition filed in the Supreme Court alleged that these rules adopted a non-inclusive definition of caste-based discrimination and excluded certain categories from institutional protection.
According to the petition filed in the Supreme Court, the latest guidelines announced by the UGC are inclusive. The petition criticized the rules, as caste discrimination is strictly defined as discrimination against members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
By limiting the scope of caste-based discrimination to SCs, STs and OBCs, the UGC has effectively denied institutional protection and grievance redressal to the general category. It also fails to consider that this category may face harassment or discrimination based on their caste identity.
This rule violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 14 (right to equality) and 15(1) (prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth).
This rule violates Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty, including the right to live with dignity) of the Constitution.
Petitions to the Supreme Court
The petition appealed to the Supreme Court to restrain the UGC from applying Rule 3(c) in its present form and redefine caste-based discrimination in a caste-neutral and constitutionally consistent manner.
Caste-based discrimination should be defined in a manner that protects all victims of caste-based discrimination. The petition seeks directions to the Central Government and the UGC that the Equal Opportunity Centers and Equality Helplines established under the Rules should be provided without discrimination.
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