JNU Students Protest for UGC Equity Regulations Amidst Supreme Court Stay

• JNU students held a torchlight protest demanding immediate implementation of UGC Equity Regulations 2026.
• The protest invoked the struggles of Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, and Darshan Sultanki, whose cases led to the new regulations.
• The Supreme Court temporarily stayed the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 on January 29, citing concerns over 'reverse discrimination' and potential deepening of caste divisions.
• Petitioners argued the new rules violate constitutional equality, while the Solicitor General defended the framework.
• The Supreme Court suggested forming a committee of jurists to review the regulations and will hear the matter again on March 19, 2026.

Why It Matters: JNU students demand UGC Equity Regulations implementation, but Supreme Court has stayed them over discrimination concerns.