Thursday marked a pivotal moment for India’s higher education landscape as the Supreme Court halted the UGC’s ambitious new anti-discrimination framework, serving notices to the government and the commission. The stay order has ignited debates, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey celebrating it as proof of governmental overreach.
Engaging deeply with the issue, Dubey commended the judiciary’s responsiveness. ‘While the Centre turned a deaf ear, the Supreme Court heard the students loud and clear,’ he stated. At the heart of his critique: the regulations’ biased language, exemplified by protections for reserved category complainants that immunize false claims against general category peers—no penalties, no recourse.
Dubey contrasted this with the time-tested 2012 rules, questioning the push for change that now lies in judicial limbo until March 19. Families breathed easy, spared the dread of discriminatory applications ensnaring bright futures in needless litigation.
This ‘black law,’ as Dubey called it, represents a ministry misstep under Dharmendra Pradhan. Rooted in Ambedkarite principles, he insisted all must stand equal under law. The court’s firm stance signals potential invalidation ahead, bolstering faith in institutions that prioritize equity over politics.