The Supreme Court of India has delivered a significant interim order, putting the controversial University Grants Commission (UGC) equity regulations 2026 in abeyance. The apex court has also issued formal notices to the Central government and the UGC, seeking their detailed responses in the matter. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on March 19, 2025.
Political Reactions from Jharkhand's Ruling Alliance
The ruling coalition in Jharkhand, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has warmly welcomed the Supreme Court's intervention. The regulations had sparked widespread student protests across the country, particularly from students belonging to the general category, ever since they were made public.
JMM's Stance on the Regulations
Supriyo Bhattacharya, the central general secretary and spokesperson for the JMM, articulated the party's position clearly. He stated that the party had previously identified the regulations as a tool for "divide and rule" by the Narendra Modi-led central government. "Now that it is currently under judicial review process, we will wait to see what stand the Centre will take on the issue in its reply," Bhattacharya told media outlets, indicating a cautious approach pending the government's official response.
Congress and Its Student Wing Respond
The Congress party also expressed its approval of the Supreme Court's decision. A representative emphasized that the nation would not tolerate any attempts at creating social divisions by the incumbent regime. Furthermore, Aman Ahmad, the state vice-president of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), which is the student wing of the Congress, took proactive steps by writing to the UGC chairman. His letter outlined several key demands for minority students, including:
- Equal access to educational resources and scholarships
- Implementation of anti-discrimination guidelines across all universities and colleges
- Establishment of robust redressal mechanisms for complaints related to minority issues
Judicial Observations and Broader Political Consensus
During the hearing of petitions challenging the UGC regulations, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant made critical observations. The bench noted that the regulations appeared vague in nature and were potentially prone to misuse, necessitating a thorough re-examination.
RJD and JD(U) Echo Support
Kailash Yadav, the spokesperson for the RJD in Jharkhand, described the Supreme Court's stay order as a "tight slap" on the Modi government. Interestingly, support for the court's decision also came from the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), which is currently an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the national level. Saryu Roy, a JD(U) MLA from Jamshedpur (West), welcomed the stay, calling for the regulations to be withdrawn entirely. He advocated for a "forward-thinking, practical approach" to genuinely promote equality within educational institutions.
BJP MP's Reaction
Nishikant Dubey, the BJP Member of Parliament from the Godda constituency, took to social media platform X to welcome the Supreme Court's decision. In his post, he reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining the "impartial and unbiased" character of the nation's educational policies, stating, "The Supreme Court has done what I said."
The Supreme Court's interim order has thus created a significant pause in the implementation of the UGC equity regulations 2026, bringing temporary relief to protesting students and uniting opposition parties in Jharkhand against what they perceive as a divisive policy. All eyes are now on the Central government's forthcoming response to the apex court's notices.
