The Supreme Court emphasized that the University Grants Commission (UGC) needs more authority to effectively address caste discrimination in colleges. The case, originally filed in 2019, sought enforcement of fundamental rights against caste-based bias. The court highlighted the need for stronger measures to curb such discrimination in educational institutions.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court emphasized the need for a “robust mechanism to tackle” caste-based discrimination within higher educational institutions such as IIMs and IITs.
The court expressed concern over the “extremely unfortunate” incidents of suicide 18 reported in the last 14 months at these universities.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh stated that the University Grants Commission (UGC) “must be given teeth” to impose punitive measures in such cases.
“We will create a robust mechanism to tackle the issue. We will take things to a logical conclusion,”
The court assured the petitioners, who are the mothers of Rohit Vemula, a PhD scholar who died by suicide in 2016, and Payal Tadvi, a medical student who also took her life in 2019 after facing caste-based discrimination.
The court scheduled the next hearing in eight weeks.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing the mothers, noted that universities and colleges had failed to provide complete data on campus suicides, despite a court order requiring such information.
She pointed out that around 40% of universities and over 80% of colleges had not implemented systems to address inequalities related to caste and gender among students.
Solicitor-General Tishar Mehta, representing the center, stated that the UGC had drafted regulations addressing many of the petitioners’ concerns, which are now available for public feedback on the UGC website.
Ms. Jaising requested a final hearing before these rules are formalized, but Mr. Mehta countered, stating,
“If they want to give suggestions they can do so through the website.”
The original petition, filed in 2019, sought the court’s intervention to uphold fundamental rights against caste discrimination and ensure equality and the right to life. It highlighted the “rampant prevalence” of caste-based discrimination in higher education across India.
Ms. Jaising argued that existing UGC regulations from 2012 are inadequate, lacking sanctions for violations. She suggested implementing rules similar to the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act and anti-ragging laws, which provide for punitive measures in case of violations.
Recently, a bench of Justice AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh had inquired about the UGC’s efforts to create a non-discriminatory and safe environment for all students.
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