Uttar Pradesh’s Cabinet heavyweight Om Prakash Rajbhar has waded into the UGC norms imbroglio, challenging general category agitators to prove their case in court rather than street protests. His comments, delivered on January 29 in Lucknow, cut through the noise surrounding the contentious regulations.
To IANS, Rajbhar detailed the committee’s composition: ’17 general category representatives participated fully. The report and law reflect that. Grievances? A committee will probe in 15 days and amend as needed.’ This proactive pledge aims to quell fears of bias.
With a nod to precedent, he highlighted the backward classes’ 27% reservation victory via Supreme Court after initial backlash. ‘Same playbook applies here—distrust the government? Let judges decide,’ Rajbhar advised, framing judicial oversight as the ultimate arbiter.
On Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the minister pulled no punches. ‘Kumbh is for sanctity, not political theater. Shankaracharyas allying with opposition against leaders shows their true colors,’ he said. He advocated devotion over denunciation.
Extending his critique to national politics, Rajbhar targeted Mamata Banerjee over Ajit Pawar’s death. ‘Feuds with politicians are one thing; dragging crash victims into it? Unacceptable. We govern; they grandstand,’ he retorted.
Rajbhar’s forthright address signals a government unafraid of scrutiny, leveraging courts and history to defend reforms while exposing perceived hypocrisies in opposition tactics.