The Supreme Court on Thursday placed a hold on the implementation of the new anti-discrimination guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC). During the hearing, the court expressed concerns about the ambiguity within the guidelines, which could lead to misuse.
The court issued a formal notice to both the government and UGC, clarifying that these contentious rules would not be enacted until further orders. Meanwhile, the guidelines from 2012 issued by UGC will remain in force. The next hearing on this case is scheduled for March 19. This raises the question: what lies ahead for the new UGC guidelines?
What is the Future of UGC's New Guidelines?
The Supreme Court has proposed the formation of an expert committee to clarify the language of these guidelines. The court deemed intervention necessary, citing the potential societal division the new guidelines could cause. They emphasized the guidelines could have serious consequences.
The big question remains: What will happen to UGC's new guidelines? The direction of these guidelines will be determined during the hearing scheduled for March 19. On this day, the Supreme Court may collaborate with the central government and UGC to form a committee.
This new committee is likely to include academics, professors, sociologists, and representatives from various social groups. Together, they will work to remove ambiguities in the language of UGC guidelines to prevent misuse. During the hearing, the Chief Justice stressed that victims should not be left without remedy. He commented on the necessity of the committee’s work, saying, 'Pardon me, but at first sight, the rules appear unclear and could be misused. The language lacks clarity.'
It is thus imperative that the new committee devises guidelines with language that is safe, non-objectionable, and ensures justice for the victims.
On Thursday, Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi, issued notices to the central government and UGC concerning petitions challenging the regulations.
These new regulations mandated that all higher education institutions form 'Equity Committees' to address discrimination complaints and promote equality. These guidelines were notified on January 13.
Expert Attention Required
The Chief Justice remarked, 'If we do not intervene, the consequences could be dangerous, leading to societal division and grave outcomes.' He further explained, 'At first glance, we find the regulation language to be ambiguous and requiring attention from experts. It is vital that the language is revised to prevent misuse.'
The responsibility now falls on the experts of this newly formed committee to revise the guidelines, ensuring they address concerns across all sections of society.
