BREAKING DOWN THE #UGC EQUITY REGULATIONS CONTROVERSY: Why the protests against anti-discrimination rules reveal deep casteist resistance to constitutional equality.
A thread based on Justice K. Chandru's analysis. 1/10
theleaflet.in/equality/majes…
The SC stayed the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 before they could even be implemented, citing "reverse discrimination" concerns. But here's what's conveniently forgotten: These regulations emerged from the tragic suicides of Rohith Vemula & Dr. Payal Tadvi due to caste persecution. 2/10
SHOCKING: CJI Surya Kant made blatantly casteist remarks in open court:
"Do you want to take the country back to the old days?"
"Did Brahmins create caste in Muslims, Christians?"
"Even after becoming IAS/CJI, if someone thinks they're oppressed, it's their own mindset, not Brahmins' fault." 3/10
THE IRONY: The same Supreme Court in Sukanya Shantha (2024) & PUDR (1982) recognised the judiciary's DUTY to "take an active stand" against caste discrimination. Yet now it's undermining regulations designed precisely for that purpose—before they're even tested! 4/10
LEGAL HISTORY REPEATS: In 1951's Champakam Dorairajan case, the SC struck down reservations as "unconstitutional." It took 17 years for the Court to admit this error in Golaknath (1967), calling it a setback to "progressive jurisprudence by one and a half decades." Are we repeating this mistake? 5/10
THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR: Article 15 specifically PROHIBITS discrimination based on caste. Article 17 abolishes untouchability. Article 46 mandates protecting SC/ST from "social injustice and exploitation." These aren't suggestions—they're constitutional obligations. The Equity Regulations simply enforce this. 6/10
THE "MERIT" LIE EXPOSED: Upper-caste protests claim regulations undermine merit & create "reverse discrimination." But UGC data shows 118.4% RISE in caste-discrimination cases in 5 years. The 2012 advisory-only guidelines failed completely. Enforceable rules are essential, not optional. 7/10
WHO'S REALLY BEHIND THIS? #Hindu right-wing groups & #RSS-affiliated student organisations led the agitation, claiming SC/ST/OBC students will file "motivated complaints." This reveals the real fear: accountability for discrimination they've practiced with impunity for decades. 8/10
THE DEFINITION CONTROVERSY: Protestors claim defining "caste-based discrimination" to protect SC/ST/OBC is "divisive." But Article 15 exists BECAUSE caste discrimination is a historical reality against these communities specifically. Equality doesn't mean ignoring who faces systematic oppression. 9/10
As Dr. Ambedkar said when burning #Manusmriti in 1927: "If you do not knock the door, none opens it." The UGC Regulations knock on the door of caste privilege in academia. The violent resistance proves exactly why these regulations are necessary. Constitutional equality cannot wait for casteist approval. 10/10
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