Rajput Mahasabha, General Category Joint Forum Hold Awareness Meeting in Balh Against UGC “Equity” Regulations.
Shimla:
A joint meeting of the Rajput Mahasabha and the General Category Joint Forum was organized in Khewdi village of Balh tehsil in Mandi district as part of a special awareness campaign against what the organizers described as “undemocratic black provisions” under the University Grants Commission’s equity-related regulations.
The meeting was presided over by Er. K.S. Jamwal, State President of the Rajput Mahasabha, who attended as the chief guest. Prominent attendees included social worker Netr Singh Guleria from Mandi, Mahasabha Vice President E.D.K. Chandel, District Mandi Rajput Sabha Vice President Ravinder Guleria, Rajendra Singh Rana from Sundernagar, Kainwal unit President Pritam Singh Pathania, and Narayan Singh Guleria, who participated as special guests.
Members of the Rajput, Brahmin, and general category communities from across the region participated actively in the meeting. The proceedings were conducted by retired lecturer Om Chand Jamwal.
Allegations Over Proposed UGC Regulations
Addressing the gathering, Er. K.S. Jamwal alleged that members of the general category community were already facing hardships due to what he termed the misuse of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He further claimed that the proposed UGC regulations—introduced in the name of equity—could lead to increased victimization of students pursuing higher education in universities.
He expressed concern that the inclusion of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in screening committees under the proposed framework could foster caste-based tensions among students. Jamwal also alleged that there was no provision for action against individuals filing false complaints and that the burden of proving innocence would fall upon the accused.
Other speakers, including the invited special guests and senior members such as Hem Singh Rana, echoed similar concerns and called for unity in opposing the regulations. The speakers urged members of the community to remain organized and vigilant.
Reference to Supreme Court Stay
The organizers noted that the Supreme Court has reportedly granted a stay on the implementation of the UGC’s equity-related provisions, with the next hearing scheduled for March. However, they stated that their agitation would continue until the Central Government withdraws the proposed law in its entirety.
They further emphasized that the movement would not remain confined to Himachal Pradesh but would extend to the national level. Organizations representing the general category community in the state, they said, would actively participate in broader nationwide programs related to the issue.
Formation of Local Units
During the meeting, under the guidance of Ravinder Singh Guleria, a local unit of the Rajput Sabha was constituted. Elections were also held for the formation of the General Category Joint Forum.
The newly elected office bearers are as follows:
President: Om Chand Jamwal
Vice President: Prem Singh Rawat
General Secretary: Ramesh Thakur
Treasurer: Virender Thakur
Women’s Wing President: Sangeeta Devi
Youth Wing President: Sagar Rana
Convenors (General Category Joint Forum): Krishan Murari and Kishore Vats
The President and General Secretary were authorized to complete the formation of the remaining executive committee.
Several other individuals, including Mahender Singh Guleria, Surender Guleria, Krishan Chander Thakur, Netr Singh Thakur, N.S. Saklani, Prem Lal Verma, and Harsh Veer Sen, were also present on the occasion.
