Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh : Rashtriya Devbhoomi Party protests against new UGC caste-discrimination guidelines in Shimla
The Rashtriya Devbhoomi Party and the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti staged a protest outside the BJP state headquarters in Shimla on Wednesday, opposing the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new guidelines aimed at addressing caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. The groups demanded that the Central Government immediately withdraw the guidelines.
The Rashtriya Devbhoomi Party and the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti staged a protest outside the BJP state headquarters in Shimla on Wednesday, opposing the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new guidelines aimed at addressing caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. The groups demanded that the Central Government immediately withdraw the guidelines.
To express their dissent, several protesters symbolically handcuffed themselves, wrapped chains around their bodies and tied ropes around their necks, claiming that the new rules restrict the rights of general category students.
Rumit Singh Thakur, president of the Rashtriya Devbhoomi Party, alleged that the guidelines violate Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. He claimed the provisions could lead to “unfair targeting” of general category students.
“With these rules, a situation is being created where general category students may face action without committing any crime. This is unjust and unacceptable,” Thakur said during the protest.
He added that the chains and handcuffs symbolised what he described as increasing restrictions on students’ freedoms. Thakur also criticised BJP MPs and MLAs for remaining silent on the issue, accusing them of ignoring the concerns of general category students.
The protesting organisations warned that if the guidelines are not rolled back, they would intensify their agitation and could call for a statewide bandh in Himachal Pradesh.
