Ramakanta Biswas

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has requested higher education institutions across the country to take measures for prevention of caste based discrimination. 

In a letter to the Vice-Chancellors of all universities, UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain said, “The University Grants Commission has taken various steps for the Prevention of Caste Based Discrimination in Higher Education Institutions.”

The varsity authorities have been asked to take the following action:

  • The Officials/faculty members should desist from any act of discrimination against SC/ST students on grounds of their social origin.
  • The University/institute/College may develop a page on their website for lodging such complaints of caste discrimination by SC/ST students and also place a complaint register in the Registrar/Principal Office for the purpose. If any such incident comes to the notice of the authorities, action should be taken against the erring official/faculty members promptly.
  • The university and colleges should ensure that no official/faculty members indulge in any kind of discrimination against any community or category of students.
  • The University may constitute a committee to look into the discrimination complaints received from the SC/ST/OBC Students /Teachers and non-teaching staff.

The Vice-Chancellors of universities have also been requested to advise the officials and faculty members to be more sensitive while dealing with incidents of caste discrimination. 

“You are also requested to provide information for the year 2020-21 in the prescribed format on the University Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP) of UGC at link https://ugc.ac.in/uamp/) urgently,” UGC Secretary stated in the letter. 

“The above instructions should also be circulated to all the constituent and affiliated colleges of your university for follow-up action please,” the letter added.

scrollToTop