Protests in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, escalated on January 29, 2026, as members of the ‘Savarna Army’ (Upper Caste Army) demonstrated against the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly notified Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026.
Protesters allegedly raised inflammatory slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting the new rules which mandate specialized committees for SC, ST, and OBC students, would “dig a grave” for the leadership on the “chest of the UGC.”
While the government defends the law as a vital tool for social justice, upper-caste groups and several resigning BJP officials have termed it a “black law” that risks institutionalizing bias against general category students.
Slogans and Recitations: The Scene in Gonda
The demonstration in Gonda, led by ‘Savarna Army’ chief Sarvesh Pandey, saw a surge of protesters gathering at the district collectorate to submit a memorandum to District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan.
The agitation was marked by the chanting of controversial slogans such as “Modi, your grave will be dug on the chest of UGC”, reflecting deep-seated resentment against the Union government’s latest policy shift.
In a symbolic act of defiance, demonstrators sat on the collectorate premises and recited the Hanuman Chalisa, arguing that the regulations lack safeguards against false accusations and treat upper-caste students as “natural offenders.”
The stakeholders involved present a starkly divided picture. On one side, student leaders like Alokit Tripathi from Delhi University have warned of “campus chaos” due to a shifted burden of proof. Conversely, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has attempted to provide a steadying hand, stating:
“I want to humbly assure everyone, no one is going to face any harassment… no one will have the right to misuse the regulation in the name of discrimination.”
Policy Overhaul or Institutional Overreach?
The current unrest is rooted in the UGC’s January 13, 2026, notification, which replaces the advisory 2012 framework with enforceable mandates. The new regulations require every Higher Education Institution (HEI) to establish Equal Opportunity Centres (EOC) and Equity Squads to monitor and penalize caste-based discrimination.
Crucially, the 2026 rules have expanded their ambit to include Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and fixed accountability directly on university heads.
This has triggered a political firestorm across the “Hindi heartland,” leading to the resignation of several middle-rung BJP leaders in districts like Firozabad and Pilibhit, who claim the law violates the constitutional right to equality.
The fallout has not been limited to students. In Bareilly, City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri was suspended following his resignation in protest of the rules, which he described as a “planned conspiracy” against certain communities.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has already been moved via a plea challenging the “non-inclusionary” definition of the law, suggesting that the battle over campus equity is moving from the streets of Gonda to the highest court in the land.
The Law
The University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 is a mandatory framework designed to eliminate caste-based discrimination in Indian colleges and universities. Unlike the advisory 2012 guidelines, this “black law” (as critics call it) makes institutional heads directly accountable for campus equity.
Key Features of the Law:
- Expansion of Scope: Formally includes OBCs and EWS alongside SC and ST students for protection against discrimination.
- New Infrastructure: Mandates the creation of Equal Opportunity Centres (EOC) and Equity Committees with representatives from marginalized groups.
- Proactive Monitoring: Introduces Equity Squads to patrol “vulnerable spots” and a 24/7 helpline for reporting grievances.
- Strict Timelines: Committees must meet within 24 hours of a complaint and submit a report within 15 days.
- Severe Penalties: Non-compliant institutions face the withdrawal of grants or recognition.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that progress is only possible when every student, regardless of their background, feels safe and respected within the hallowed halls of education.
While the government’s intent to eradicate caste-based discrimination is a noble and necessary pursuit, the current atmosphere of fear and the subsequent use of violent rhetoric highlight a significant breakdown in communication.
Equality should not be a zero-sum game; it must be built on the foundations of empathy and dialogue rather than division and inflammatory slogans.
We urge all stakeholders to step back from the brink of hostility and engage in a constructive review of the policy to ensure it protects the vulnerable without creating new avenues for resentment.
