A protest in support of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Equity Regulations 2026 at Delhi University’s North Campus on Friday afternoon descended into chaos, culminating in an alleged attack on a woman journalist covering the demonstration.
The reporter has claimed she was singled out and manhandled, while rival student groups Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and All India Students’ Association (AISA) have issued sharply conflicting accounts. Police confirmed that an MLC has been conducted and an investigation is underway.
The incident has ignited fresh debate on safety of the press, campus politics and caste fault lines at Indian universities.
Clash at Arts Faculty: Scuffle, Accusations and Alleged Assault
What began as a demonstration in support of the UGC’s equity regulations designed to broaden protections against caste discrimination on campuses at the Delhi University Faculty of Arts escalated into a heated confrontation on Friday, 13 February 2026. Around 2 pm, student groups aligned with different political persuasions faced off, sparking shouting, pushing and mutual accusations of intimidation and violence.
According to multiple reports, ABVP’s Delhi state secretary, Sarthak Sharma, alleged that a female journalist affiliated with a YouTube channel was manhandled by protestors after questioning them about the demonstration.
Sharma said some of those involved appeared not to be enrolled DU students, and demanded strict action from police and university authorities.
Left-wing student group AISA offered a different account, contending that its members were attacked by right-wing students during the protest and that their DU secretary was assaulted while trying to protect the journalist. AISA also accused police of failing to intervene when threats were made to students outside Maurice Nagar police station.
Police confirmed that the journalist underwent a medico-legal case (MLC) and that a complaint has been filed. “Legal action will be taken based on the enquiry,” a senior officer said, adding that investigations and fact-verification are ongoing.
Protests Over UGC Equity Regulations
The protests were rooted in deepening disputes over the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which were notified by the University Grants Commission earlier this year to strengthen anti-discrimination mechanisms on campuses.
These rules expanded oversight and redressal for students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes but were stayed by the Supreme Court on 29 January 2026, citing concerns over vagueness and potential for misuse.
Across the country, the Supreme Court’s stay has triggered a surge of protests and counter-protests in universities, including in Delhi, Varanasi and Allahabad, as student groups demand full implementation of the equity regulations or oppose what they perceive as biased provisions.
Earlier this month, hundreds of students marched across North Campus in an “Equity March”, urging that the guidelines be implemented as a step towards meaningful campus safety and inclusivity. Protests branded the court’s stay as a setback for marginalised students and asserted that equity rules were the result of longstanding movements against systemic exclusion in higher education.
Against this backdrop, campus politics have grown increasingly polarised, with rival student organisations aligning along ideological lines. In some demonstrations, slogans and rhetoric have veered into divisive territory, further stoking tensions.
Safety of Journalists and Official Response
The alleged assault on a journalist while covering a political protest has drawn alarm from media and civil society. Press freedom advocates argue that reporting on campus unrest should not expose journalists to violence or intimidation regardless of the views they represent or the platforms they use.
Delhi University authorities issued a statement condemning all acts of violence on campus and asserting their commitment to ensuring safety and normalcy. They said those found responsible for any misconduct will be dealt with under appropriate disciplinary and legal frameworks. Police reiterated that the probe is underway and that they will take action based on evidence and complaints received.
While there is no official confirmation from the journalist’s side about caste-based targeting at this stage, social media posts and eyewitness claims of caste-related slurs have amplified a fraught narrative. Many videos circulating online show heated exchanges, though their full context is still being verified by authorities. Multiple sides allege bias and distortion in witness accounts and circulation of unverified content.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that can accompany political expression when it is not tempered by restraint, mutual respect and adherence to the rule of law. Protests in support of or against policy changes are fundamental to democratic societies especially within educational institutions that cherish discourse.
However, when such demonstrations spill over into physical confrontation or put individuals, including journalists, at risk, the basic tenets of a free and safe public sphere are undermined.
Targeting journalists whether traditional or digital media practitioners for simply performing their roles in informing the public is unacceptable. Likewise, using identity markers such as caste to justify harassment or violence weakens the social fabric and diverts attention from substantive debate on policy merits and consequences.
Peaceful expression, robust debate and institutional accountability must be pursued without descending into intimidation, denigration or physical aggression.
