UGC New Rules Spark Nationwide Student Protests: 'Weapon of Division'

• Students across Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow, and Prayagraj are protesting against UGC's new rules, calling them discriminatory and a 'weapon of division'.
• Protesters allege the rules will create division in higher education and limit grievance redressal mechanisms to reserved categories, violating general category students' fundamental rights.
• A PIL filed in the Supreme Court claims the new rules prevent general category students from filing complaints and promote animosity against non-reserved categories.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified that the provisions will not be misused and aim for transparent, accountable higher education, assuring the system was prepared under Supreme Court supervision.
• Student organizations vow to continue protests until the rules are withdrawn, with all eyes now on the Supreme Court's decision.

Why It Matters: UGC's new rules face widespread student protests and legal challenges over alleged discrimination.