UGC Draft | Southern States Vs Centre: Over Higher Education

The political war between DMK and BJP has often been about ideology, identity and language. This time it has spilled over to universities, and the call of the DMK to oppose the Centre's draft UGC rules has found support beyond Tamil Nadu. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has joined Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, But the centre has said the draft UGC regulations reflect a broader move towards inclusivity, flexibility, and an expanded definition of merit in academia while the DMK says the draft regulations would affect Tamil Nadu's higher education, which was driven by social justice. Is a reform being politicised for the sake of it? Are our higher education institutions becoming a battleground for political parties? Do some parts of the rules need a rethink? Do they actually empower the governors and undermine the autonomy of the state government?