The 600-kilometre-long Swarna Samaj Ashwamedha Nyaya Yatra, organized under the banner of Rashtriya Devbhumi Party, reached Shimla on Wednesday, triggering tense confrontations outside the state secretariat. Demonstrators demanding a rollback of new UGC regulations clashed with police personnel near the main entrance of the secretariat. To control the swelling crowd, police resorted to a mild use of force and water cannons, creating a brief period of high tension in the area. Protesters climbed the gates of the secretariat, raised slogans against the central government, and submitted a memorandum detailing their demands.
The March from Manali
Led by party president Rumit Singh Thakur, a large group of protesters took out a foot march starting from Shimla ISBT and heading towards the Chief Minister's office located at the state secretariat. Armed with banners and flags, the participants shouted slogans demanding the withdrawal of controversial UGC provisions. They issued a warning that failure to act on their demands would lead to a massive escalation of the agitation, culminating in a major protest planned in Delhi on January 10.
Participation from Multiple States
The demonstration drew participants not only from Himachal Pradesh but also from Rajasthan, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and several other regions. Protestors marched with flags and banners, persistently chanting slogans for a UGC rollback. They argued that the new regulatory provisions threaten to undermine the academic interests and educational futures of general category students. Consequently, they urged the central government to review and rescind these rules while simultaneously pressing for the enactment of a General Category Commission Act and a simplification of benefits for the economically weaker section.
Statements from Mahipal Singh Makrana
Addressing the gathering during the protest, Karni Sena leader Mahipal Singh Makrana asserted that the movement will continue unabated until all demands are met. He claimed that the march from Manali successfully united community members across Rajasthan, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. Makrana alleged that the new UGC norms create an apprehension of discrimination against general category students within educational institutions, declaring that the community will never accept provisions that infringe upon student rights.
Criticism of the Central Government and Opposition
Makrana trained his guns on both the central administration and opposition political parties, stating that when authorities implement decisions deemed unjust by society, the opposition has a duty to raise the issue effectively. He accused political parties of failing to show the expected response to the grievances of the upper castes. He urged the Prime Minister and other political leaders to clarify their stance on the matter, emphasizing that the future of students and community rights should be treated with utmost seriousness by the political class.
Preparation for a Major Rally on January 10
Reiterating their resolve, the protestors announced that if the government fails to take positive steps regarding their demands, a large-scale agitation will be staged in Delhi on January 10. Makrana appealed to the Himachal government and the Governor to accept their memorandum and advance the related grievances. Throughout the demonstration, core issues concerning general category rights, UGC guidelines, and student futures remained at the forefront of the discussions.
