🔥 The Clash That Ignited the Ban

On February 13, 2026, tensions boiled over at Delhi University's Arts Faculty in the North Campus during a student protest demanding the implementation of the University Grants Commission's (UGC) Equity Regulations 2026. What began as a demonstration organized by left-leaning groups like the All India Students' Association (AISA) quickly escalated into a chaotic confrontation between rival factions, including members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Eyewitness accounts and viral videos captured a mob of around 500 people, with allegations flying from all sides: assault, molestation, casteist slurs, and threats.

A prominent incident involved journalist and YouTuber Ruchi Tiwari, who claimed she was attacked by protesters, enduring whispered rape threats laced with caste-based abuse such as 'aaj tu chal, tera nanga parade niklega' due to her Brahmin identity. Counter-claims from AISA accused her of provoking the crowd with casteist remarks herself and attempting to seize equipment from demonstrators. Delhi Police responded by filing cross-First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for offenses including assault, criminal intimidation, and molestation at Maurice Nagar police station.

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh appealed for calm, urging students and faculty to prioritize social harmony: 'Students from all states and communities study here. Maintaining harmony is our duty.' This incident, however, was merely the flashpoint in a larger firestorm over equity in higher education.

Understanding UGC Equity Regulations 2026

The UGC, India's apex higher education regulatory body, notified the Equity Regulations 2026 on January 13, 2026, as a robust framework to eradicate caste-based discrimination in universities and colleges. These rules mandate Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to establish dedicated Equity Committees, Equity Squads, and 24/7 helplines for complaints, primarily targeting harassment against Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students and staff.

Key provisions include:

• Defining 'caste-based discrimination' specifically as actions against SC/ST/OBC individuals, replacing vaguer 2012 guidelines.
• Immediate inquiry processes without needing repeated incidents or formal proof, ensuring swift action.
• Penalties ranging from warnings to termination for perpetrators, with mandatory sensitization programs for all staff.
• Annual reporting to UGC on complaints and resolutions to foster accountability.

These regulations stemmed from tragic cases like the suicides of Rohith Vemula (2016, University of Hyderabad) and Payal Tadvi (2019, Mumbai), where alleged caste harassment went unaddressed. Yet, critics, particularly from general category backgrounds, argued the narrow definition excluded upper-caste victims, violating Article 14's equality principle and risking reverse discrimination.

In India's diverse higher education landscape, where over 1,000 universities serve 43 million students (as per latest UGC data), such rules aim to bridge persistent equity gaps. SC/ST enrollment has risen to 14-15%, but dropout rates remain high due to social barriers.

Supreme Court Stay Fuels Nationwide Unrest

On January 29, 2026, the Supreme Court stayed the regulations' implementation, citing 'complete vagueness' in the discrimination definition and potential for misuse. Justices observed it could 'divide society' and directed adherence to 2012 guidelines interimly. This ruling, petitioned by general category activists like Mritunjay Tiwari, sparked polarized reactions: pro-equity groups decried it as upper-caste pushback, while opponents hailed it as safeguarding all castes.

Protests erupted across campuses—from JNU (where four union leaders faced rustication for vandalism) to Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Bareilly. Sadhus and BJP affiliates joined anti-regulation marches, viewing it as 'anti-Hindu.' Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured balanced justice, but the stay didn't quell demands; AISA and allies at DU protested for restoration.

This judicial intervention highlights ongoing UGC tensions with courts over regulatory overreach, echoing past disputes on reservations and NEP 2020 implementation.

The Controversial One-Month Ban: What It Entails

Responding to the February 13 melee, DU Proctor Prof. Manoj Kumar Singh issued Order Ref. No. PCTD/2026 on February 17, 2026, enforcing a blanket prohibition until March 17. The order, backed by a police directive from the Civil Lines Assistant Commissioner, bans:

• Public meetings, rallies, dharnas, protests, or agitations.
• Assemblies of five or more persons.
• Slogan-shouting, speeches, or processions.
• Hazardous items like torches or mashals.

Rationale: Past protests have obstructed traffic, endangered lives, and disrupted peace, with organizers failing to contain escalations. Proctor Singh clarified: 'We issued this before something serious happens, to prevent divides.' No specific rationale for the one-month duration was provided.

Delhi University official site hosts the order, underscoring administrative urgency amid UGC-related volatility.

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

Student Unions Cry Foul: 'Attack on Dissent'

Student outfits swiftly condemned the ban. AISA labeled it an 'arbitrary curfew' deepening the democratic crisis, arguing it punishes peaceful advocacy while ignoring 'criminal elements' from ruling affiliates. SFI accused DU and police of pretextual curbs on rights. 'This exposes the fragility of university democratic functioning,' AISA stated.

At Rate My Professor, students increasingly discuss such administrative heavy-handedness, impacting campus morale and choice of institutions.

Broader student sentiment reflects fears of stifled expression in an era where campuses have been protest hotbeds—from FYUP rollback in 2023 to fee hikes.

Faculty Backlash: DUTA and DTF Demand Reversal

Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) urged withdrawal, calling it a threat to academic freedom. Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) deemed it 'draconian,' pre-emptively criminalizing assembly and violative of constitutional basics. Hansraj College's Mithuraj Dhusiya critiqued it as a 'blanket clampdown,' possibly pretexting issues like faculty appointments.

Such opposition mirrors faculty concerns over UGC's centralizing tendencies, as seen in recent funding disputes. For career aspirants, platforms like Higher Ed Career Advice offer guidance on navigating politicized campuses.

Historical Protests at DU: A Legacy of Activism

DU's North Campus has long been activism's epicenter. From 2020 CAA protests to 2019 CUET rollout resistance, and earlier BBC documentary screenings (2023), bans evoke Section 144 impositions. The 1980s anti-Mandal stirs and 1990s reservation clashes set precedents, where protests shaped policy but often turned violent.

Statistics: Over 50 major protests since 2019, per DU records, balancing vibrancy against disruptions costing lakhs in damages.

Implications for Indian Higher Education

This saga underscores faultlines: equity vs. equality, free speech vs. safety. UGC's role amplifies amid NEP 2020's autonomy push, but regulatory flux erodes trust. Enrollment pressures—with 4.3 crore students—demand stable environments. JNU rustications signal a trend toward stricter controls.

Impacts include chilled dissent, mental health strains (post-Vemula era), and talent flight. Explore university jobs in India for resilient institutions.

UGC website details ongoing reforms.

Photo by Fuzail Ahmad on Unsplash

Balancing Rights: Solutions and Outlook

Solutions: Dialogue forums, mediated by VC-Student-Faculty panels; UGC clarifying definitions pre-relist; hybrid protest zones off-core campus. Future: SC hearing could reinstate/modify rules by March, influencing 1,500+ HEIs.

Optimistically, this catalyzes inclusive policies. For professionals, faculty jobs thrive in harmonious settings.

Navigating Campus Tensions: Actionable Insights

Students: Document incidents via helplines; join elected unions. Faculty: Advocate via DUTA. Administrators: Transparent communication. All: Prioritize harmony per VC Singh.

• Use free resume templates for post-grad opportunities.
• Check professor salaries amid policy shifts.

As DU awaits calm, higher ed's resilience shines. Visit university jobs for openings.