Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Karni Sena UGC Rollback Agitation Troubles BJP Before Rajasthan Local Polls
A group called the Rajput Karni Sena is very upset with new rules made by the UGC, the group that looks after colleges and universities in India.
They think these new rules about 'Equality Committees' are unfair to students from upper castes and could lead to false complaints.
To show how they feel, they walked a very long way from a town called Deshnok to the city of Jaipur.
While they were protesting in Jaipur, the police pushed back the crowd, and people say a young man named Devraj Singh got hurt and later passed away.
This made everyone even more angry.
The group is now telling the government to remove the new rules within seven days, or they will shut down the city of Jaipur and protest at the Chief Minister's house.
The government has promised to help the young man's family with money and a job, and to look into what happened during the protest.
This is also happening close to local elections in Rajasthan, and the ruling party, the BJP, is worried because many upper caste voters usually support them.
The Karni Sena says it will keep fighting until the rules are taken back, and next it plans to take its protest to Delhi.
Shri Rajput Karni Sena is agitating for the rollback of UGC 'Equality Committee' regulations, launched via a 'Savarna Nyay Pad Yatra' from Deshnok (Bikaner) to Jaipur.
A police lathi charge during the Jaipur protest early this week reportedly led to the death of a protester named Devraj Singh, sparking political uproar.
The Karni Sena has issued a seven-day ultimatum threatening a 'Jaipur Bandh' and a protest at the Chief Minister's residence unless the UGC regulations are withdrawn.
Demands include impartial investigations into alleged campus caste discrimination, equal legal action against false complainants, and safeguards for general category students' rights.
The agitation comes ahead of panchayat and urban local body elections in Rajasthan, where upper castes are a traditional BJP support base; the ruling party has offered the deceased's family financial aid, a contractual job, and an inquiry.
Karni Sena President Mahipal Singh Makrana said the campaign's next phase will move to Delhi and then other states until the UGC rolls back the regulations.
- Who
- Shri Rajput Karni Sena led by National President Mahipal Singh Makrana, protesting against UGC regulations; the BJP government in Rajasthan, whose state president is Madan Rathore.
- What
- A movement demanding the rollback of the UGC's 'Equality Committee' regulations, marked by a long march, a police lathi charge, and the alleged death of protester Devraj Singh.
- When
- Early this week, with the march reaching Jaipur three days before the report; a protest was also held on August 5, 2026.
- Where
- Jhansi: The movement began in Jaipur, Rajasthan, after a yatra from Deshnok (Bikaner); the next phase is planned for Delhi and then other states.
- Why
- The Karni Sena and other upper-caste groups say the new UGC framework is discriminatory, could create campus tensions, and may increase false complaints despite existing laws like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Karni Sena / Upper-Caste Groups
Government / UGC-BJP Administration
UGC Equality Committee Regulations
Karni Sena / Upper-Caste Groups
The new UGC framework is discriminatory against upper castes, could create social tensions on campuses, and increases the possibility of false complaints and misuse despite existing laws like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and anti-ragging mechanisms.
Government / UGC-BJP Administration
The regulations address alleged cases of caste discrimination on campuses in higher educational institutions, which is why protesters are seeking their withdrawal and impartial investigations.
Handling of the Protest and Death
Karni Sena / Upper-Caste Groups
The police lathi charge and the alleged death of Devraj Singh amount to excesses; the Karnataka Karni Sena demands an impartial investigation and full fulfillment of its demands before dropping the seven-day ultimatum.
Government / UGC-BJP Administration
The BJP immediately took charge, held talks with the Karni Sena, and assured the deceased's family of financial assistance, a contractual government job, and an inquiry into the lathi-charge incident.
Political Alignment and Elections
Karni Sena / Upper-Caste Groups
Upper-caste resentment and social media campaigns after the lathi charge are likely to trouble the BJP in the upcoming panchayati raj and urban local body elections.
Government / UGC-BJP Administration
BJP state president Madan Rathore says the two sides are on the same side and 'stood shoulder to shoulder'; he insists the Karni Sena's three demands are being considered with sensitivity and justifiable ones will be addressed.
- Agitating organization
- Shri Rajput Karni Sena
- Key demand
- Withdrawal of UGC 'Equality Committee' regulations
- Protest march
- 'Savarna Nyay Pad Yatra' from Deshnok (Bikaner); sources differ on distance (600 km vs around 800 km)
- Ultimatum
- Seven days; 'Jaipur Bandh' and protest at the Chief Minister's residence threatened
- Alleged casualty
- Protester Devraj Singh, reportedly injured during the lathi charge and later died
- BJP assurances
- Financial assistance, a contractual government job for one family member, and an inquiry into the lathi-charge incident
- Electoral context
- Panchayat and urban local body elections due in Rajasthan; upper castes are a traditional BJP support base
- Next phase
- Delhi, followed by other states, until the UGC rolls back the regulations