“ Social revolution are rapid, basic transformation of a society’s state and class structures ,
accompanied and partly carried through by class based revolts from below”
~ Theda Skocpol
January 13, 2026 is very significant in the history of India as new University Grants Commission
introduced new rules on this day to regulate and address discrimination in Indian Educational
institutions,the main objective is to promote equity in Education. These new set of rules directed
educational institutions to establish ‘Equal opportunity Centers’, ‘Equity Communities’ and help line
to make effective mechanisms to mitigate and address discrimination, the explicit objective is to
ensure the dignity and inclusivity for historically marginalized SC, ST and OBC communities.
A massive protest started over the introduction of these rules in many Indian States by the “General
Category Students”. The protesters firmly stand and argued that theses rules are not clearly stated
that crates uncertainty among General Category Student regarding their grievances and reputation
as “ the stated objective of the Regulation is to eliminate discrimination only on the basis of religion,
race, gender, place of birth, caste, or disability, particularly against the members of scheduled caste
and scheduled tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes, economically weaker
sections, persons with disabilities, and to promote full equity and inclusion amongst the
stakeholders in “Higher Education Institutions”
Is it Gen Z Revolution?
“Revolution doesn’t always come from oppression but from rising expectations “
~ Alexis de Tocqueville
Gen Z Revolution in South Asia is very recent phenomenon, its manifestations and impacts have
been seen in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh and now its new version is looming in India. There are
some similarities between above stated revolutions but in the context of India the immediate cause
of mass mobilization is paradoxically different but it would be more impactful and significant
because Indian is emerging great power and significantly important player in International politics.
Historically oppressed communities in India for instance Dalits have been struggling for their social
and political rights but they couldn’t impact the higher elites in India. As critics argued this is the big
gambling of Prime Minister Modi to win the votes of SC, ST and OBC communities in coming State
elections. As BJP new political move is aimed to ventilate the grievances of oppressed communities
that offend its own voters and supporters so in this connection the looming Gen Z Revolution in
India is Paradoxically different and drastic for top political elite and below for oppressed
communities.
Now, it is up to the BJP government whether it will stand by the UGC Rules 2026 or it would retreat
to appease General Category to avert this revolution, but the damage has been done as it creates a
rift between BJP and and its supporters and on the other hand it scaled up mistrust, hatred between
historically oppressed and oppressor communities
