SC, ST, OBC groups demand NSA action against threat-mongers, back UGC Equity Regulations 2026

JAMMU: In a heavily attended Press conference of Joint Action Committee of Reserved Categories of Jammu & Kashmir, wherein; more than three dozen associations of SC, ST, OBCs & Religious Minorities participated, unanimously supported the provisions of UGC Equity Regulations 2026 and with loud voice condemned self-styled leaders of few so called upper caste associations for openly issuing and encouraging murdering SC, ST, OBCs and preferring to be booked under 302 of IPC instead of getting arrested after violation of provisions of University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026.It clearly indicates that these gundda elements are provoking the masses for civil war.

The participants urged upon LG & CM of JKUT to carve the filthy, threatening and provocative language of these anti national elements by slapping NSA on them. It was further said that if necessary remedy is not taken by the government, SC, ST, OBCs are largely ready to answer these casteist and anti-national forces by preferring getting booked under section 302 IPC in more numbers than these casteist forces.

Prof. G.L Thapa (Working President JKRCEA), said that every time there is some law made for safeguarding interests of SC, ST, OBCs, few amongst upper caste without going into basic intent of such law start agitating to show their social, political and financial hegemony. It was seen during implementation of SCST Prevention of Atrocities Act and now again they have started drum beating without understanding the provisions of the Act. The University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, commonly referred to as the UGC Equity Regulations, 2026 or the Anti-Discrimination Rules, 2026, in India is aimed at addressing discrimination within higher education institutions (HEIs).

The Act is already in place since 2012 for SC, ST, OBCs and modifications now covers EWS, Physically handicapped, and linguistic minorities also. The UGC Regulation 2026 is notified in alignment with the National Education Policy (‘NEP’) 2020, which identifies full equity and inclusion as a foundational pillar of education reforms. The provisions prioritize protection of SC, ST, OBC, EWS and Persons with Disabilities (‘PwD’), and aim to promote full equity and inclusion among all stakeholders in higher education institutions.

 MohinderBhagat (President BhagatMahasabha), while further elaborating, said that  the way there are atrocities on SCSTs throughout the country, it looks as if country is heading towards civil war. If SC ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and now the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 are implemented in letter and spirit, the incidence of RohithVemula, PayalTadvi, senior IPS Officer V Puran Kumar and even the incidence of institutional murder of Professor Chander Shekhar in Jammu University can be prevented in future.

But unfortunately people from the upper caste who cannot even spell the full form of UGC Equity Act started criticizing it by given caste angle to such laws that can bring equality in Hindu Samaj. Such elements are not only anti national but are propagators of casteism which is the biggest curse. We warn all these elements and tell them that we are ready for everything; these elements can choose their preferred method of fight. We are for equality and they are for inequality, we are 85% in number and they are only 15%; let us see who wins.

Sham Basson (President, Dalit ChetnaManch), while binding up said that the Equal Opportunity Centre (‘EOC’) in institutions of higher education, the campus body shall ensure fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all students and staff while addressing discrimination issues. The members of Equity committee shall be senior faculty, Non-teaching staff, Civil society experts, Student representatives, Members of disadvantaged groups, including women and PwD. This is beyond imagination how it is going to be discriminatory for upper castes.

Providing academic, financial, and socio emotional guidance, building a socially inclusive, diverse campus environment is the soul of this Act for achieving Equality amongst all. He said that opposing such social welfare measures for SCSTOBCs, Physically handicapped and EWS and other beneficiaries is not in the interest of anyone and we are hopeful that Hon’ble Supreme Court shall definitely take just and appropriate decision in the matter.

He said that all those especially educated people who are opposing the Act shall go through Act of 2012 and 2026 vis a vis National Education Policy and then decide about opposing it. And those who want to create unrest in the Hindu society should see their numerical strength and then give any sort of threats, these threats can be counter-productive.

It was also urged upon LG and CM of J&K UT to look into long pending demands of Restoration of Reservation in Promotions, Rectification in the Roster point for SCs in Direct Recruitments, on ground implementation of SCST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Implementation of Mandal commission Report on fast track. 

The members who attended the press conference include R.A. Inqlabi (Social Activist), Prof. Kali Dass (AIBCU), Prof. C.L Shivgotra (AJKGRDS),M.R. Bangotra,  F.C. Satia (AIBCF), K.K. Fotra (President Sain Samaj), Dr. Rajinder Samyal (President, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Welfare Association), Sunita Bangotra (President, Savitri Bai Phule Sangathan), Bahadur Lal, Mukhtiar Kalia, Narinder Dutt Bhagat, Vijay Anand Gill, Bharat Hans Sham Lal, Shamsher Chand, Brij Mehra, Balwant Kataria, Kasturi Lal Basotda; Er. Manga Ram; Darshan Lal Basson; Manohar Lal Tidyal; Tarsem Liach; V.K Kundal; Om Parkash Lehalwan; Er. Raj Kumar Chalotra.

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