Varanasi Students Protest UGC Draft on Caste Discrimination, Academic Activities Disrupted at MGKVP

Varanasi: Students in Varanasi staged a strong protest on Wednesday against the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposed draft regulation on caste-based discrimination complaints, expressing fears that the new framework could disturb academic harmony if implemented without clear safeguards.

The protest took place at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith (MGKVP), where student groups gathered on campus, raised slogans, and briefly disrupted academic activities. Due to the demonstration, parts of the university remained closed for several hours, affecting routine classes and administrative work.

According to protesting students, the draft regulation, in its current form, lacks clarity on key procedural aspects. They argued that the absence of precise legal definitions and a mandatory preliminary inquiry mechanism could lead to confusion and arbitrary action against students and faculty members. Protesters warned that such ambiguity may create fear and mistrust within the academic environment.

Student representatives clarified that their opposition is procedural, not ideological. While acknowledging the importance of addressing caste-based discrimination and ensuring justice for marginalised communities, they stressed that grievance redressal mechanisms must also protect the principles of natural justice and the rights of all stakeholders.

The Varanasi protest is part of a wider national debate on the UGC draft regulation. Legal experts and academics across the country have also raised concerns, stating that unclear rules may discourage free academic engagement and long-term trust within universities. Supporters of the draft, however, argue that stricter regulations are necessary to ensure timely and effective justice in discrimination cases.

Students at MGKVP have now urged the UGC and the central government to hold wider consultations with students, teachers, and legal experts before finalising the regulation. They have demanded amendments that ensure transparency, fairness, and balance, while maintaining a healthy academic atmosphere based on dialogue and mutual trust.

The protest remained peaceful, but student leaders indicated that further demonstrations could follow if their concerns are not addressed.