Meerut: Members of upper caste and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities staged a protest at the Meerut Commissionerate on Sunday, opposing the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and the increase in financial assistance provided under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The protest was organised jointly by the Hindu Swabhiman Parishad and the Guru Gorakhnath Kamdhenu Gauseva Samiti. The demonstrators submitted a memorandum addressed to the President, demanding the withdrawal of the new UGC regulations, measures to prevent the alleged misuse of the SC/ST Act and a review of the existing reservation system.
Hindu Swabhiman Parishad National President Amit Bhardwaj alleged that the new UGC regulations could create divisions within Hindu society. Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s slogan, “Batenge toh katenge”, he questioned the provisions concerning grievance redressal and representation under the regulations.
Bhardwaj claimed that the proposed representation structure provided 70% representation to SC/ST communities and 30% to upper caste communities, raising concerns that the latter’s grievances could remain unheard.
The protesters also objected to the reported increase in financial assistance under the SC/ST Act from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. Bhardwaj alleged that certain individuals were misusing the legislation by filing false cases and demanded strict action against those found guilty of doing so.
The memorandum referred to the Supreme Court’s March 20, 2018, judgment in the Dr Subhash Kashinath Mahajan versus State of Maharashtra case. It also cited figures claiming that 5,347 cases related to SC communities and 612 cases related to ST communities were found to be false in 2016.
The organisations further demanded that reservation benefits be extended on economic grounds rather than caste or religion, arguing that economically disadvantaged individuals from all communities should receive support.
Expressing political dissatisfaction, Bhardwaj said the communities would support Yogi Adityanath’s return to power in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but would not support the return of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.
The protesters said the government’s decisions had caused resentment among sections of upper caste and OBC communities.
