New Delhi’s legal corridors buzzed with activity as the Supreme Court slammed the brakes on the UGC’s freshly minted regulations aimed at curbing discrimination in higher education. Notices were served to the Centre and UGC, halting the rules amid growing backlash. Shiv Sena (UBT)’s vocal spokesperson Anand Dubey didn’t mince words, calling it a resounding defeat for the Modi government.
In an incisive interview, Dubey dissected the problematic aspects of the regulations. He spotlighted how they shield reserved category students from accountability if their complaints against general category peers prove baseless, barring the latter from any retaliation. ‘The government preaches equality but crafts laws that breed inequality,’ he remarked.
Recalling the effective 2012 UGC guidelines, Dubey questioned the need for this overhaul. The court’s swift intervention—taking suo motu cognizance, hearing arguments, and imposing a stay—has restored calm among anxious students and parents. ‘Kids pursuing dreams shouldn’t get trapped in frivolous disputes,’ he stressed, noting the March 19 hearing date.
Dubey went further, branding the rules as unconstitutional and a direct assault on Ambedkar’s legacy. With the Education Ministry facing embarrassment, he predicted their outright rejection. This verdict underscores the judiciary’s role as the ultimate guardian of fairness in education policy.