Fri Feb 28 14:29:29 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Demands Robust Mechanism to Combat Caste Discrimination in Higher Education
**New Delhi:** The Supreme Court on Friday issued a strong directive demanding a robust mechanism to address caste-based discrimination in prestigious Indian institutions like the IIMs and IITs. The court’s order comes in response to a petition filed by the mothers of Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi, both students who died by suicide after allegedly facing caste discrimination.
The court expressed deep concern over the alarming number of student suicides—18 in the past 14 months—in these universities. Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh emphasized the need for the University Grants Commission (UGC) to be empowered to impose punitive measures against institutions failing to prevent such incidents.
The judges stated their intention to create a comprehensive mechanism to tackle the problem and bring those responsible to justice. The court noted the lack of complete data on campus suicides submitted by universities, despite previous court orders mandating its submission. Further, it was highlighted that a significant percentage of universities and colleges have yet to establish systems addressing inequalities based on caste and gender.
While the Solicitor-General, Tishar Mehta, representing the central government, informed the court that the UGC has drafted regulations addressing many of the petitioners’ concerns and made them available for public feedback, senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing the mothers, requested a final hearing before these rules are finalized. The next hearing is scheduled in eight weeks. The original petition, filed in 2019, argued that existing UGC regulations were inadequate due to a lack of sanctions for violations. The court’s decision underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students in Indian higher education.
First Piper 