The protest was attended by DMK MP Kanimozhi, LOP Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, MDMK leader Vaiko, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, and other MPs. They claimed that the regulations undermine state rights in various aspects.
Published Feb 06, 2025 | 2:11 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 06, 2025 | 3:35 PM
Synopsis: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, alongside other INDIA bloc leaders, participated in a protest organised by the DMK student wing in Delhi against new draft UGC guidelines, claiming they undermine state rights and cultural autonomy. Rahul Gandhi emphasized Congress’ support for returning education to the state list. Leaders like VCK’s Thol Thirumalavan and MDMK’s Vaiko backed the movement, criticizing central interference in education.
Congress MP and LOP Rahul Gandhi speaking at the protests organised by DMK’s student wing on Thursday, 6 February, against the new draft UGC guidelines at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, reiterated his and the Congress’ stand on bringing back education to the state list.
The protest was attended by DMK MP Kanimozhi, LOP Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, MDMK leader Vaiko, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, and other MPs. They claimed that the regulations undermine state rights in various aspects.
The Congress MP noted, “We in the Congress party and the INDIA alliance are very clear that every single state, every history, every language, and every tradition must be respected. They must be treated equally, not differently.”
Rahul Gandhi further reiterated, “In our manifesto, we already said that education will be brought back to the state list. To all my friends on the stage, I want to say that we are in full support of what you’re saying.”
Stating that the new UGC regulations are at attack by the RSS on Tamil and the people of Tamil Nadu, he noted, “The Tamil people have a history spanning 4,000 years, with an ancient language and culture. The new UGC regulations are not just about education; they are an attack by the RSS on your language and culture. The RSS’s goal is to erase other cultures and histories, imposing uniformity. We must strongly oppose the imposition of the RSS’s outdated ideology.
“We don’t accept the RSS’s vision of this country, nor their idea that one bankrupt ideology should be imposed on this nation. No matter how hard they try to bring about their fantasies, this nation will never accept their ideology.”
We in the Congress party and the INDIA alliance are very clear that every single state, every history, every language, and every tradition must be respected. They must be treated equally, not differently.
In our manifesto, we already said that education will be brought back to… pic.twitter.com/bvDMEG4PAR
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 6, 2025
VCK leader Thol Thirumalavan added, “There is a need to take a nationwide initiative to implement the Rajamannar Committee’s recommendation that the state government’s approval is required for amending the Indian Constitution.”
“இந்திய அரசியல் அமைப்பு சட்டத்தில் திருத்தம் கொண்டு வருவதற்கு மாநில அரசின் ஒப்புதல் தேவை என்ற ராஜ மன்னார் குழுவின் பரிந்துரையை நடைமுறைப்படுத்த நாடு முழுவதுமான ஆதரவை பெறுவதற்கான முன்னெடுப்பை மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டிய அவசியம் வந்துள்ளது.”
– விடுதலை சிறுத்தைகள் கட்சித் தலைவர் முனைவர்… pic.twitter.com/0VWis54Ty9
— DMK IT WING (@DMKITwing) February 6, 2025
The three-member committee was appointed by the Tamil Nadu government in 1969 to examine the relationship between the Centre and the states.
MDMK leader Vaiko MP speaking at the protest said, “The arbitrary procedures of the UGC must be removed, and only academicians should be part of the committee; only then can the education sector be protected. The protest undertaken by the DMK Students’ Wing will be victorious,” he added, “The Governor’s post must be abolished; only then can democracy be safeguarded.”
Samajwadi Party leader, MP Akhilesh Yadav, who also participated in the protest, said, “To protect educational rights and oppose arbitrary reforms, continuous protests are being organized. DMK has been leading multiple protests against the establishment of new education commissions. Samajwadi Party also stands in support of these protests.”
The protests come after a month after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the resolution against the new UGC regulations.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, on Wednesday, 5 February, urged collective pressure on the Centre to withdraw the controversial National Education Policy.
“The National Education Policy rolled out by the Union government has many flaws. The Karnataka government has gone ahead and brought in some amendments. The output from this conclave must reach the Centre,” Shivakumar told a conclave of Ministers for Higher Education from various states.
“Karnataka has been the pioneer in the field of education in the country. Students from North India have been queuing up to the state for higher education for more than three decades. Karnataka has over 70 medical colleges and 250 engineering colleges. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh too have good colleges,” he continued.
“Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad have been pioneers in creating top international educationists. There is no match for the Southern states when it comes to education. We need to preserve this excellence.”
Shivakumar emphasised the importance of preserving state autonomy in education. “Our federal structure is unique and our Constitution offers many rights. There is diversity in language too. We should not be competing at the national level but at the international level. For this, we need to change the NEP,” he noted.
The deputy chief minister identified vice-chancellor appointments as a key challenge. “We need to bring in reforms at the University level too. The appointment of Vice-Chancellors is a key challenge before us. Indians have adorned top positions in many Western universities. We need to take the opinion of experts to take our education system global,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in January, strongly urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to immediately withdraw the UGC’s draft regulations, citing concerns over their encroachment on state rights and educational autonomy.
Stressing the importance of federalism, the chief minister emphasised the need for states to reclaim their authority over educational institutions under state rights.
In the note addressed to INDIA bloc chief ministers, he wrote: “I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of great importance regarding the recently issued UGC guidelines that restrict the role of State Governments in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and certain administrative admission procedures, including the introduction of entrance exams for UG and PG courses in Universities.”
“The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has already passed a resolution against these guidelines. It is essential for all States to take a similar stand. I request you to consider passing a resolution in your august Assembly on the same lines as ours.”
“These guidelines are a clear infringement on the rights of State Governments and will have far-reaching consequences on the autonomy of our Universities. It is crucial that we stand united against these attempts to centralise power and undermine the federal structure of our country,” the note read.
Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled the draft regulations on January 6.
The draft regulations outline the minimum qualifications, experience, and accomplishments required for appointments and promotions across various academic and administrative roles in higher education institutions (HEIs).
These include positions such as Assistant Professors, Librarians, Directors of Physical Education, Principals, and Vice-Chancellors. The key focus of the draft, however, lies in its revised selection process for Vice-Chancellors.
The contentious provisions, which revise the selection process for Vice-Chancellors, are being viewed as another attempt by the BJP-led Centre to encroach on the autonomy of non-BJP-ruled/allied states.
With recent years witnessing several clashes between state governments and Governors—who also serve as Chancellors—over Vice-Chancellor appointments, this latest move has reignited debates over federalism and the politicization of higher education.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
