UGC urges colleges, universities to stop caste based discrimination

NS University Grants Commission (UGC) A letter has been issued for the prevention of caste based discrimination in higher education institutions. The commission has urged the heads of institutions to ensure that the officers and faculty members deal with caste discrimination more sensitively.

After several reports of caste-based discrimination against students and faculty members in some premier institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) emerged, the apex higher education regulator has urged universities and colleges to stop such incidents. The UGC in its letter has directed the institutions to ensure that the officers and faculty members avoid any act of discrimination against SC, ST students on the basis of their social origin.

Universities and colleges are asked to develop a page on their official website as well as arrange a complaint register at the registrar and head office to register complaints of caste discrimination by the victims.

Higher education institutions are also asked to take strict action against the erring officers and faculty members if any such incident comes to the notice of the authorities. Institution heads have been asked to ensure that no officer or faculty member discriminates against any community or category of students.