Delhi police use force against SFI march demanding social justice in education
BJP govt chooses repression over reform in education: Students’ body
New Delhi: Delhi Police used force to stop a protest march organised by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which was demanding social justice and an end to caste discrimination in higher education.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the march was held to press the Indian Ministry of Education to take political responsibility for implementing the UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, taking decisive action against entrenched caste discrimination on university campuses, and enacting the Rohith Act to ensure institutional accountability.
The protest was held in the backdrop of a recent UGC report that acknowledged a disturbing rise in caste-based discrimination across higher education institutions in India.
The SFI strongly condemned what it termed a “brutal and unprovoked assault” by Delhi Police on its peaceful march towards the Ministry of Education. The organisation said police detained over 100 students, including SFI national president Adarsh M Saji, joint secretary Aishe Ghosh, Central Executive Committee members Sooraj Elamon and Abhijith, and several Delhi state committee members, in what it described as a bid to stifle democratic dissent.
Terming the action unlawful, SFI said the crackdown exposed the state’s “authoritarian reflex” when confronted with legitimate demands for social justice. “The arrest of elected student representatives and peaceful protesters reflects a government that prefers coercion over dialogue and repression over reform,” the organisation said in a statement.
SFI said concerns raised by students from Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, women and other marginalised communities—especially after the institutional death of research scholar Rohith Vemula—have been repeatedly flagged, yet the Ministry of Education has remained silent.
The organisation noted that multiple official committees and reports have already acknowledged discrimination, exclusion and student suicides in universities, but accused the government of continuing to evade responsibility.
“Instead of addressing structural caste oppression in higher education, the BJP-led government has chosen police violence against students,” SFI said, warning that it would intensify its nationwide agitation until equity, dignity and justice are ensured on campuses.
