Students’ body seeks law to prevent caste-baseddiscrimination in educational institutions

Lucknow: Resolution adopted at the 17th Uttar Pradesh State Conference of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) demanded a strong central law to prevent caste-based discrimination and social exclusion in educational institutions, renaming of the UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, after Rohit Vemula, restoration of student union elections, regulation of fees in private and self-financing institutions, timely disbursal of fellowships and scholarships, strict action against examination paper leaks, and strengthening of gender-just grievance redressal mechanisms on campuses.The two-day conference, held at Nehru Yuva Kendra, Husainabad, brought together 89 student representatives from across Uttar Pradesh to deliberate on what it described as a deepening crisis of equity, access, and democracy in education. The resolution on UGC Equity Regulations stated that the guidelines were the outcome of sustained student movements, Dalit-Adivasi struggles, and public pressure following the institutional death of Rohit Vemula at Hyderabad Central University in 2016.Adarsh M Saji, All India president of SFI, said, "Caste discrimination in higher education is structural and deeply entrenched. Without a strong central act, autonomous redressal bodies, and representation of marginalised communities, equity regulations will remain symbolic. Naming the UGC Equity Regulations after Rohit Vemula is about remembering the struggles that forced these changes and holding institutions accountable."