Patna: Police in Patna used batons against students protesting in support of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday, detaining several demonstrators and transporting them in “Vajra” vehicles.
The protest, organised near Gate No. 10 of Gandhi Maidan, saw students demanding the implementation of UGC regulations and a 65% reservation quota for SC, ST, EBC, and OBC categories in higher education. From the assembly point, protesters marched towards Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s residence, but were intercepted near JP Roundabout. Some demonstrators broke through barricades and continued their march, while others sat on the road chanting slogans against the government. Minor scuffles erupted as police attempted to control the crowd at Dak Bungalow.
Speaking to the press, one protester said: “We cannot stand by and watch the future of our children being ruined. That is why we have taken to the streets to demand the implementation of the new UGC regulations.” Student organisations including AISA and Bhim Sena were present, along with CPI(ML) leader Divya Gautam and party workers.
The demonstrators’ key demands include full adherence to UGC guidelines and enforcement of a 65% reservation quota to uphold social justice in education and employment. Student leaders allege that several institutions have failed to comply with UGC norms, denying marginalized communities their rightful benefits.
The protests come in the wake of a Supreme Court stay on the new UGC regulations issued on January 13, 2026. The court cited ambiguities in the provisions and expressed concern over their potential misuse. While some students argue that the new rules are crucial for ensuring fairness, others have opposed them, reflecting deep divisions over the policy.
