A group of lawyers at the Allahabad High Court staged a protest on Wednesday against the University Grants Commission’s new 2026 regulations aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. The protesting lawyers called the rules “divisive” and warned of a public agitation if they are not repealed within 48 hours.
At Ambedkar crossing, near the Allahabad High Court, a section of lawyers raised slogans and set fire to a copy of the UGC’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations (PEHEIR), 2026. The protesters demanded immediate rollback of the rules, accusing them of deepening social fault lines instead of promoting harmony.
Former joint secretary of the High Court Bar Association, Ashutosh Tiwari, spearheaded the protest and warned that ignoring the growing discontent would backfire politically. “Public resentment is already high across the country. If this regulation is not withdrawn in 48 hours, a public movement will be launched, and the government alone will be responsible,” he declared.
The new regulation, notified by the University Grants Commission, seeks to eliminate discrimination in higher educational institutions on grounds such as caste, religion, race, gender, place of birth, and disability. The PEHEIR 2026 guidelines require universities and colleges to set up anti-discrimination cells and take proactive steps to ensure equity, with a focus on safeguarding the rights of SCs, STs, OBCs, EWS groups, and persons with disabilities.
However, the regulations have sparked controversy, particularly among sections of the general category student and legal communities. Critics allege that the guidelines may result in selective targeting and unequal protection, thereby alienating unreserved category students.
While the government has positioned PEHEIR as a progressive step toward inclusive campuses, critics are demanding a more balanced approach that ensures protection and fairness for all categories. Protesters on Wednesday reiterated their view that equity should not come at the cost of new social rifts.
