Opposition against the University Grants Commission (UGC) rules on equity in higher education grew sharply on Monday, January 26, 2026. Critics question the 2026 regulations’ definition of "caste-based discrimination" and say they do not protect against "false complaints". Mrityunjay Tiwari, a post-doc at Banaras Hindu University, filed a Supreme Court petition against the rules. His lawyer, Neeraj Singh, said, "We are trying to mention the matter in court tomorrow (Tuesday)." Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded on social media that the rules be "withdrawn or amended as necessary." She asked, "Then why is this discrimination in the implementation of the law? What happens in case of false accusations?" BJP's Uttar Pradesh MLC Devendra Pratap Singh wrote to the UGC, warning the rules might "widen caste-centric division" and make "general category students feel unsafe." Student unions like Kumaun University's have also protested, fearing the rules could create "fear and distrust" on campuses and might be misused. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey defended the rules, promising "no harm will come to the children of the upper castes" under PM Modi's government. The UGC announced the updated 2026 rules on January 13, defining caste-based discrimination to apply only to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. This removed the previous draft’s provision to punish false complaints, causing uproar among critics who fear general category students are excluded and presumed guilty. Some anti-caste activists argue the rules still do not adequately protect SC, ST, and OBC students during admissions and exams. In his Supreme Court petition, Mr. Tiwari says the definition wrongly assumes discrimination is one-way, giving legal victim status only to reserved categories. Meanwhile, Bareilly City Magistrate Alank Agnihotri resigned on Monday, stating dissatisfaction with the UGC rules. Around a dozen BJP members in Lucknow also resigned over the matter. The debate on caste equity laws in education continues to swirl fiercely across India.