Ranchi: Under the banner of the All India Forum for Equity, student organizations observed the “All India Day for Marginalized Rights” today, demanding strict enforcement of University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines to curb caste-based discrimination in educational institutions. The protest was joined by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Tribal Students’ Union, Chhatra Rajd, AISF, NSUI, and several other student bodies. The march commenced from the main gate of DSPMU and proceeded into the university campus.
Addressing the gathering, student leaders welcomed the “UGC Regulations for Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions, 2026” but emphasized the urgent need for concrete guidelines, similar to the Rohith Act, across all higher education institutions, including engineering and medical colleges. They demanded strict laws against caste discrimination on campuses.
Criticizing the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the UGC equity regulation, stating that caste-based harassment no longer exists on campuses, the students described the move as “shameful and condemnable.” According to various reports, incidents of caste discrimination in higher education institutions have risen by 118% between 2019 and 2024.
The leaders highlighted institutional murders such as those of Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, and Darshan Solanki, pointing out that caste-based oppression still forces students to drop out or even take their own lives. They also referred to the recent killing of Angel Chakma, who was beaten to death due to her ethnicity, emphasizing the ongoing presence of racial discrimination alongside caste bias.
The students stated that caste discrimination is a pervasive social evil affecting all communities, not just marginalized groups, and exists even in premier educational institutions. They called for strict enforcement of laws against those treating individuals as second-class citizens or committing acts of lynching based on religious identity. Practices such as giving lower marks in exams or interviews to SC, ST, and OBC students, and later declaring them “Not Found Suitable” (NFS) for Ph.D. programs or jobs despite meeting all eligibility criteria, disproportionately affect students from marginalized communities.
The protest was attended by leaders and representatives including Dayaram, Badal Bhokta, Sunil Soren, Wasim Ansari, Abhishek Raj, Trilokinath (AISA State Secretary), Sanjana Mehta (AISA Ranchi District Secretary), Sohel Ansari (Former AISA President), Vijay Kumar, Shaleen Kumar, Anurag Rai, Sonali Kevat, Nikhil Raj; Ehitesham Praveen (AISF District President), Afzal Durrani (State Executive Member); Bablu Mandal (Chhatra Rajd State Vice President), Anand Yadav (Ranchi President); Aryan and Sachit Ranjan (NSUI DSPMU President), as well as students and activists from RU, DSPMU, JRSU, and CUJ. The participants called on all justice-minded citizens to support strict laws and awareness campaigns against caste discrimination.
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