New Delhi- In a powerful display of solidarity against persistent caste-based discrimination in Indian universities, students, teachers, intellectuals, and grassroots social movements converged in Delhi on February 8, to launch the All India Forum for Equity – UGC Regulations Samta Andolan. Bringing together diverse organizations including JNUSU, AISA, SFI, NSUI, AISF, BAPSA, and many others, the forum condemned the Supreme Court's recent stay on the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which aimed to enforce stronger safeguards against caste discrimination but faced backlash and legal challenges.

Highlighting historical injustices, student suicides like that of Rohith Vemula, and biased media narratives, speakers demanded the regulations be reinstated and fortified on the foundation of a Rohith Act. The forum has declared February 13, as an All India Protest Day, with demonstrations planned across more than 100 campuses to build momentum for equitable, discrimination-free higher education spaces.

The constituent members of the forum include: Dr. Jitendra Meena, Dr. Laxman Yadav, Mahesh Chaudhary, Bhanwar Meghvanshi, JNUSU, AISA, SFI, NSUI, AISF, MSF, RYA, DSF, ASA, AIOBCSA, CRJD, Collective, BAPSA, Samajik Nyay Andolan Bihar, Rihaai Manch, Social Justice Army, FTII Students' Union President, OBC Arakshan Sangharh Samiti, JAYS, BPVM, Gondwana Student Union and others.

Dr Jitendra Meena chaired the meeting and began with highlighting the history of oppression faced by SC/ST/OBC students accross university spaces. "Hundreds of dear friends whose lives were lost to the oppression of caste in universities, their pain was somewhat taken into account and some guidelines were provided by UGC against discrimination in university spaces. Unfortunately an atmosphere of extreme unnecessary fear was created and eventually there was a stay that was put on this guidelines from the side of the court."

Comrade Aditi from JNUSU spoke about the misleading construction of narrative done by the media and brahmanical forces accross the nation. "An act, not even that radical, brought for mere affirmative action was shamefully pit as a threat to a particular community. This lie was repeated again and again till an atmosphere of fear was created based on nothing but lies regarding potential misuse". Aditi stressed on the need in university spaces for such equity guidelines further strengthened through the base of Rohith Act. "JNUSU shall be at the forefront of this struggle". Dr. Laxman Yadav reminded the years of the Mandal Commission movement as paralleled to the contemporary times. How courts have been playing a key role in halting all forms of affirmative action while issues such as SIR are not even mentioned and similar EWS reservation was let go by the same courts.

The media's biased role in showing the Anti UGC protests of a handful of people as massive mobilisations and "today when thousands of students accross Allahabad, Patna, Delhi etc are on the streets opposing the bill not even 5 people are being covered by the same media." Dr. Hemlata Maheshwar said, "we must assert that the project of annihilation of caste is a foundation of India's constitutional project. The University must be the guiding light in this project."

Other speakers included Mahesh Chaudhary from Aravali Bachao Manch, Hemlata Mahishwar from Akhil Bhartiya Dalit Lekhika Manch, Neha from AISA, Sooraj Elamon from SFI, Viraj from AISF, Akhilesh Kumar from NSUI, Kranthi Kumar from BAPSA, JNUSU Secretary Sunil Yadav, Hardik from DSF, Priyam from Collective, Ahmed Saju from MSF, Sharanya from AUDSC, Rajendra from OBC Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti among others. The forum also stood in solidarity with the rusticated Office Bearers and former President of JNUSU and condemned the autocratic attack on campus democracy.