Hundreds of protesters on Sunday blocked the Yamuna Expressway in Agra while demanding withdrawal of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. The demonstration led to a brief disruption of traffic and a confrontation between protesters and police, according to officials and reports.The protest comes months after the Supreme Court directed that the 2026 regulations be kept in abeyance and ordered that the earlier 2012 regulations would continue to remain in force. The legal challenge to the new framework is still pending.
Protesters arrive with tractors, attempt march towards Agra district headquarters
According to police, the protesters had gathered at the Maudi intersection in the Khandauli police station area. They reportedly arrived in large numbers with dozens of tractors and attempted to march towards the district headquarters.Police personnel put up barricades to prevent the march from proceeding. The attempt to stop the protesters reportedly resulted in a scuffle and heated exchange between the two sides. The protesters subsequently removed the barricades and moved towards the Yamuna Expressway. The demonstration then spilled onto the expressway, affecting traffic movement.
Protesters block Yamuna Expressway, traffic disrupted
Some protesters reportedly lay down on the expressway while others climbed onto trucks, bringing traffic to a halt. Police officials at the site subsequently intervened and persuaded the protesters to clear the road.Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Himanshu Gaurav said some people had attempted to block the expressway but were later removed from the road. He also said that no protester had been detained at the time of his statement.Traffic movement resumed after the protesters vacated the road.
Why are protesters opposing the UGC 2026 regulations?
The protesters are seeking withdrawal of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. They have alleged that certain provisions could be misused against students belonging to the general category and have raised concerns over safeguards against false complaints.The objections are part of a wider legal and public debate over the scope and implementation of the new equity framework. The regulations were notified by the UGC on January 13, 2026, replacing the 2012 regulations. The stated purpose of the framework is to prevent discrimination and promote equity in higher education institutions.The 2026 regulations require higher education institutions to take measures against discrimination on grounds including caste, creed, religion, language, ethnicity, gender and disability.
Supreme Court has kept 2026 regulations in abeyance
The legal status of the regulations is central to the ongoing controversy. On January 29, the Supreme Court directed that the 2026 regulations be kept in abeyance while the challenges to their validity are considered.The court also directed, under Article 142 of the Constitution, that the UGC’s 2012 equity regulations would continue to operate until further orders. The cases were directed to be placed before a three-judge Bench.The court’s order followed petitions challenging provisions of the 2026 framework. Among the issues raised before the court was the definition of caste-based discrimination and whether the framework adequately addresses complaints involving people from non-reserved or general categories. The court also identified questions relating to the treatment of segregation and the omission of ragging as a specific form of discrimination.
Centre tells Supreme Court regulations are under reconsideration
The controversy has continued despite the court’s interim order. In August, the Centre told the Supreme Court that the 2026 regulations were under reconsideration. The court subsequently asked the UGC to file a comprehensive counter affidavit.The regulations have also been the subject of planned protests elsewhere. The Delhi High Court had recently dealt with a plea concerning permission for a September 20 protest at Jantar Mantar against the 2026 UGC framework.For now, the 2026 regulations remain in abeyance, while the 2012 framework continues to operate pursuant to the Supreme Court’s January order. The Agra protest adds another layer to the continuing dispute over how equity, discrimination complaints and safeguards for students should be addressed across India’s higher education system.(With inputs from PTI)
