Supreme Court directs UGC to notify anti-discrimination regulations in higher educational institutions within 8 weeks.
Case in NewsSupreme Court directs UGC on caste discrimination regulations, granting 8 weeks to finalize measures for higher educational institutions . |
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Case Overview
Case Name: Abeda Salim Tadvi and Anr. v. Union of India, W.P.(C) No. 1149/2019
On September 2025, the Supreme Court of India addressed a PIL highlighting rampant caste discrimination in higher educational institutions . The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who noted the seriousness of student suicides linked to discrimination . The petitioners include Radhika Vemula and Abeda Salim Tadvi, mothers of Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi, whose tragic suicides brought the issue to national focus .
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Key Aspects
The petitioners sought a robust framework to end discrimination in campuses, including :
- Ban on caste-based discriminatory practices with disciplinary action .
- Hostel and classroom allocation free from segregation .
- Digitized scholarship disbursal for transparency .
- Mandatory grievance committees with 50% SC/ST/OBC members .
- Witness-protection style safeguards for complainants .
- Personal liability of staff for negligence in preventing discrimination .
- Mandatory mental health counsellors for marginalized students .
- Social audits and NAAC accreditation criteria for anti-discrimination .
- Withdrawal of grants for non-compliance .
- Equitable learning support programs .
Legal Insights
The Court’s deliberation relied on constitutional guarantees :
- Article 14 and 15 of Constitution of India– ensuring equality and prohibition of caste-based discrimination .
- Article 21 – right to life, extended to dignity and protection from harassment .
- UGC Act, 1956 (Section 12) – empowers UGC to frame regulations for maintaining standards and student welfare .
- SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 – relevant in ensuring accountability against caste atrocities in campuses .
Court’s Verdict
The Court directed the UGC to consider 391 suggestions, including those from petitioners, within 8 weeks . The regulations must incorporate strong anti-discrimination measures to protect students’ dignity and prevent future tragedies .
Source– Supreme Court of India
Read also – Constitution of India
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