UGC Controversy: 'Taking decisions without consultation is a habit of the government,' Kapil Sibal said this about the UGC rules, and also commented on the RTI.

Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the UGC's parliamentary regulations, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal launched a scathing attack on the central government. He stated that the government's approach of not consulting anyone is evident in all its decisions. Sibal warned that ignoring any section of society could be detrimental to the country's future.

In an interview, Sibal said that since the matter of the new UGC parliamentary regulations is pending before the Supreme Court, it would not be appropriate to comment on it directly. However, from a broader perspective, he said that India can only become a developed nation when policies are formulated by taking all sections of society along. He added that any attempt to create divisions in society is not in the best interest of the country.

What did Sibal say about the UGC?

Sibal said that since the current leadership came to power in the Indian government in 2014, policies have been formulated without broad consultation. According to him, the government does not share its views with anyone, and this tendency is visible in every major decision. He said that in a diverse country like India, it is essential to consider the concerns of all communities.

Supreme Court imposes a stay

The apex court recently imposed an interim stay on the University Grants Commission's 2026 parliamentary regulations. The court said that the rules are prima facie vague, their consequences could be far-reaching, and they could have a dangerous impact on society. The court has sought a response from the Centre and the UGC by March 19. The petitions argue that the definition of caste-based discrimination has been narrowed down in the rules.

What he said about RTI

Kapil Sibal expressed concern over the mention of reviewing the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the Economic Survey.

He said that the Right to Information Act is a fundamental right of democracy.

Through RTI, citizens get information about the functioning of the government.

According to Sibal, this law ensures transparency and accountability.

He warned that if this right is curtailed, it could cause great harm to society.

What are the new UGC rules? Under these rules, notified on January 13, all higher education institutions are mandated to establish a 'Parliamentary Committee' to investigate discrimination complaints and promote equality. These committees are required to include representatives from OBC, SC, ST, persons with disabilities, and women. These rules replace the older guidelines from 2012, which were only advisory in nature.

Government assurance amid student protests

Student organizations in several states have protested against these rules. Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that no one would be discriminated against and that the rules would not be misused. The court has also acknowledged that the petitions raise important legal questions.