Savarna Groups Protest In Hathras Over UGC, Reservation, SC/ST Act Demands

In Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of people from the Savarna community came out on the streets on Tuesday over a set of demands that included a review of UGC-related policies, the reservation system and provisions linked to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The protest was reported by Shobhit Kumar Sharma from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.

The demonstrators gathered under the banners of different organisations and first reached the area below Hatisa bridge. There, they garlanded the statue of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh. After this, the protesters took out a foot march and moved towards the Collectorate premises.

After reaching the Collectorate, the protesters raised slogans outside the District Magistrate’s office and put forward their demands. During this, there was also a sharp exchange between the police and the protesters. Looking at the situation, the ADM spoke to the protesters and appealed to them to present their views in a peaceful manner.

People associated with several organisations took part in the demonstration. These included Rashtrawadi Pratap Sena, Bharatiya Parshuram Sena, Rashtriya Adhikar Morcha Party, Bharatiya Kisan Union Bhanu and Bharatiya Kisan Union Kisan, among others.

After the protest, a joint memorandum addressed to the President was handed over to the SDM. The memorandum listed the demands raised by the protesters and sought action on issues related to UGC policies, reservation and cases linked to the SC/ST Act.

In the memorandum, the protesters demanded a wide-ranging review of the provisions of UGC Regulation-2026. They said that the principles of equality, fairness and natural justice should be ensured for students and teachers of all sections in higher educational institutions.

The protesters also raised demands related to the SC/ST Act. They sought an independent and impartial inquiry into cases linked to this Act where questions are raised about the truth of the complaint or allegations. They also demanded a special review of such cases registered under this Act in Hathras district.

The memorandum further said that if a complaint or allegation is found to be false during the investigation, action should be taken as per law. It also demanded an inquiry and necessary action as per rules in cases where compensation may have been given on the basis of incorrect facts.

The issue of the reservation system and proposed amendments related to it was also raised prominently in the memorandum. The protesters demanded that the reservation system and the changes proposed in connection with it should be reviewed.

They also demanded a transparent system in recruitment, appointment, promotion, research and academic opportunities. The protesters said equal opportunity and equal justice should be ensured for all sections. They also said that the reservation system should be re-evaluated from time to time.

A large number of people were present during the protest. Those present included Sharad Upadhyay Nanda, Sanjay Sharma, Matendra Singh Gehlot, Raju Kaushik, Jaiprakash Tiwari, Nishant Upadhyay, Thakur Ram Jadaun, Vijay Kumar Sharma, Ajay Sharma, Rana Rishi Pratap Singh, Vishvendra Pratap Singh, Ritik Kushwah, Rana Muni Pratap, Jogendra Singh Pradhan, Satendra Thakur, Nishant Chauhan and Pawan Kumar Gehlot.