Delhi University bans on-campus protest for a month after backlash over UCG equity guidelines | India News
New Delhi: Delhi University on Tuesday banned meetings, processions and protests on its campus for a month, citing law and order concerns, days after clashes erupted over new equity guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission.The order was issued by the DU proctor following a clash between students during a protest demanding implementation of UGC’s equity regulations, which was stayed by the Supreme Court.“This order has been issued in view of information received that uncontrolled public gatherings, processions or demonstrations on the campus may lead to traffic obstruction, threat to human life and disturbance of public peace. In the past, organizers have often failed to control such protests, which have escalated and spread widely, resulting in a breakdown of law and order within university campuses,” the release said.The order prohibits any public meeting, assembly, sit-in, demonstration or agitation; gathering of five or more persons; carrying dangerous materials such as torches, beacons or torches; chanting or making speeches; and engaging in activities likely to disrupt public peace or traffic flow.The move follows tensions on Friday when rival student groups accused each other of violence and intimidation during a pro-UGC equity guidelines protest. According to the left-backed student union AISA, some students have been threatened and subjected to racist abuse by members of rival groups, ANI reported.Countering the claim, the ABVP alleged that a woman journalist associated with a YouTube channel was assaulted by Left-backed activists. The journalist claimed that he was targeted by a mob, as reported by ANI. “The whole crowd came towards me and attacked me. It is clear in the video. About 500 people attacked me. They just made fabricated descriptions and allegations. The girls around me threatened to rape me in my ears just because I was a Brahmin; ‘Aaj tu chal, tera nanga parade Niklega,’ they said.“Earlier DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh appealed for calm. “I request all the teachers and students of Delhi University to maintain harmony among themselves. Do not indulge in any activities that increase mutual discord and tarnish the image of the country and the university. Yesterday’s incident in Delhi University is a cause for concern. Students from all states of India and students from all communities study in the university. Social harmony is the greatest thing, and it is the duty of all of us to maintain it,” he said in a statement shared on the university’s X handle.On January 29, the Supreme Court stayed the UGC (Promotion of Equality in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2026, observing that there was “complete ambiguity” in Regulation 3(C), which defines caste-based discrimination and could be misused. “The language needs to be revised,” the court said, adding that the UGC regulations of 2012 would continue to apply for the time being.New regulations were introduced to prevent caste-based discrimination and require higher educational institutions to set up special committees and helplines to address grievances of students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
