UGC asks colleges, universities to have separate page on website for making complaints against caste discrimination

Taking stern note on caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions, the University Grants Commission has asked colleges and university to create a separate page on their website for lodging complaints of caste discrimination by SC/ST students.

Apart from this, higher education institutions were asked to place a complaint register in the Registrars' office in the case of university and in the principal's office in the case of colleges for SC/ST students to make complaints.UGC also asked colleges and universities to take prompt action against the erring officials or faculty members.

The apex regulatory body for higher education in the country has also directed universities to constitute a committee to look into the discrimination complaints received from the SC/ST/OBC students, teachers and non-teaching staff.UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain has written to Vice Chancellors of universities across the nation on Wednesday in this regard, asking them to advise officials and faculty members of the university to be more sensitive while dealing with incidents of caste discrimination.

Universities and colleges were asked to ensure that no official or faculty members indulge in any kind of discrimination against any community or category of students.

However, Bharathiar University SC/ST Teachers' and Staff Welfare Association president M Ilanchelian said, "As per the UGC guidelines every university should have an SC/ST cell. Even while making appointments the cell has to check whether the rule of reservation and roster system was followed or not. But, the cell is functioning only for a namesake. The appointment of a nodal officer for the cell was not communicated to departments and students properly."

"If a separate page was created for making caste discrimination complaints by SC/ST students, more students and staffs would come forward to lodge complaints. But, authorities should make sure the effective functioning of the committees," he added.