Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, strongly opposed the University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations on Thursday, arguing that the proposed rules for appointing teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges were an effort to impose a singular narrative of history, tradition, and language across India.
Gandhi accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of attempting to erase diverse histories, cultures, and traditions in the country.
“That is their starting point and ultimate goal. They attack the Constitution because they want to enforce one singular idea—one history, one tradition, one language—on this country,” the former Congress president stated while addressing a protest organized by the DMK’s student wing at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
According to him, the changes in state education systems were yet another attempt to further the RSS agenda.
“Every state has its own traditions, history, and language. That is why the Constitution defines India as a ‘Union of States’—it signifies that these diverse elements come together to form India. We must respect and acknowledge all languages, cultures, traditions, and histories,” Gandhi added.
Referring specifically to Tamil Nadu, he emphasized that the Tamil people have their own distinct history, language, and struggles.
“Imposing such regulations is an insult to the Tamil people and to all other states where the RSS is attempting to establish its dominance,” he said.
The Congress party has denounced the draft UGC regulations as “draconian and anti-Constitutional,” demanding their immediate withdrawal.
Criticizing the central government, the party argued that the justification of aligning the regulations with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was flawed and called for an immediate rollback.
Congress’ INDIA bloc ally, the Samajwadi Party, also criticized the central government and the RSS. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused them of attempting to centralize power at the expense of state governments.
“They want to turn politicians into mere servants of industrialists. We cannot support this new education policy. I stand with the students and their decision. I oppose NEP and the BJP,” Yadav asserted.
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, highlighted that a conclave of State Higher Education Ministers was held in Bengaluru, hosted by Karnataka minister MC Sudhakar. Representatives from six opposition-ruled states—Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand—adopted a 15-point resolution opposing the UGC’s proposed regulations, branding them “draconian.”
