Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students take part in a demonstration in support of the UGC Regulations 2026 to prevent caste-based discrimination in universities on February 3, 2026 in Varanasi. Photo credit: PTI
After a post-graduate student at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi filed a petition alleging physical assault by a group of students amid counter-allegations, with hostility linked to social media posts supporting the new UGC regulations, the opposition on Thursday (February 5, 2026) attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party to attacks by feudal elements.
In the matter, Adarsh Kumar, a master’s student in history at the university, alleged that he was attacked by a group of disorderly students with the intention of causing grievous harm on Tuesday (February 3, 2026).
There is no mention of enmity related to UGC regulation in the FIR, but Mr. Kumar said the matter took an ugly turn in a WhatsApp group discussion on the regulations when he shared a poster of a protest march in support of the regulations.
“Both parties have filed petitions, we are registering complaints, action will be taken after investigation,” said a police official from Lanka police station. The other party also alleged that Mr. Kumar assaulted them.
The incident took place on a day when hundreds of students took out a march in the university under the banner of SC/ST/OBC Ekta Manch, demanding immediate implementation of UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions), 2026.
“Across the campus, incidents of harassment of students from a marginalized group are coming into the public domain. A similar incident happened in Allahabad University; BJP-backed feudal elements are polluting the campus environment and targeting supporters of the UGC ordinance. This is unacceptable, the real face of the administration and the BJP-backed feudal elements,” said a senior UGC official at a public meeting on these attacks on Pradil Yatart.
Published – 06 Feb 2026 03:48 IST
