Opposition to the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new regulations on promoting equity in higher education campuses has intensified across the universities, with critics questioning the 2026 rules’ definition of “caste-based discrimination” and alleging a bias against general category students for failing to include safeguards against allegedly false complaints. In opposition to the UGC’s new regulations, various students’ organizations have staged demonstrations.
A discussion organized by the Disha Students’ Organization at Bargad Lawn, Allahabad University, turned violent. The discussion, as reported by the Disha Students’s organization, was proceeding peacefully until a mob consisting of 30-40 people punctuated the discussion and abused and physically assaulted the students participating in the discussion.
Furthermore, casteist slurs were hurled, and the mob misbehaved with women, dragging female students by their hair and punching them in the stomach, the Disha Students’ Organisation alleged. A student identified as Sanjay suffered a nosebleed, while another student identified as Nidhi sustained a serious injury to her nose.
“The mob were continuously hurling filthy abuses at the girls. They were dragging girls by their hair. They began molesting me, and when I resisted, they assaulted me,” a student said.
Another stated that he was punched on the nose, causing it to bleed, after which they continued to hit him on the chest.
A student identified as Chandraprakash alleged that the mob is tarnishing the university’s healthy culture of debate and academic environment. The student organization further alleged that while the mob continues to verbally abuse and assault students, the university administration remains a mute spectator.
He pointed out that students are routinely harassed for identity cards before entering the campus, yet a four-wheeler belonging to a particular organization is freely allowed to enter the campus. It was in this unregistered vehicle that these goons arrived and attacked students engaged in the discussion.
