“I Am an Unfortunate Upper Caste; Uproot My Roots if You Must”: Kumar Vishwas Demands UGC Reconsider New Rules

Ghaziabad: Renowned poet Kumar Vishwas has joined the chorus of opposition against the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) recently implemented regulations, which came into effect on January 15, 2026. Sharing a poem by Ramesh Ranjan on social media, Vishwas voiced his concerns about what he perceives as discrimination against upper-caste individuals under the new rules.

In his post, Vishwas quoted Ranjan’s lines: “Whether you take a sesame seed or a mountain, a mustard seed or a giant rock, I am an unfortunate ‘Savarna’—uproot me if you must.” Through this expression, he called on the government to reconsider and withdraw the UGC’s new regulations.

What the Law Entails
The UGC’s updated regulation aims to curb caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. It allows OBC students, teachers, and staff to file complaints regarding caste-based harassment or discrimination with competent authorities. Previously, such provisions were largely limited to SC and ST communities. Under the new rules, every institution is now required to establish equal opportunity cells for SC, ST, and OBC individuals to ensure equitable treatment.

Growing Opposition
The regulations have faced significant backlash from sections of upper-caste communities. A day before Vishwas’ statement, PCS officer Alankar Agnihotri resigned from his post as City Magistrate in Bareilly, citing perceived injustice toward upper-caste individuals. Agnihotri also criticized the administration’s handling of the Magh Mela, particularly concerning Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s restrictions on ritual bathing, raising broader questions about bureaucratic conduct during the festival.

With prominent figures like Kumar Vishwas expressing dissent, the UGC rules have sparked nationwide debate, reflecting tensions over caste-based policies and equal opportunity initiatives in India’s higher education sector.