Nationwide Protest Against UGC Act Announced for March 8

Thousands from 40 organisations to gather at Ramlila Maidan under the banner of Savarna Samaj Samanvay Samiti

“UGC Rollback Movement” to begin with a nationwide shutdown called for tomorrow

UGC Act termed divisive and flawed

Demand for immediate withdrawal of the Act by the Modi government

BJP’s return to power impossible if the Act is not repealed

New Delhi:
Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the UGC Act, more than 40 organisations associated with the Savarna Samaj Samanvay Samiti have issued a strong warning to the government, stating that if the Act is not withdrawn, a massive protest titled the “UGC Rollback Movement” will be held at Ramlila Maidan on March 8, 2026.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Smriti Bhavan, where the Committee’s chief, Swami Anand Swaroop Maharaj, informed the media that the movement will begin with a nationwide shutdown called for tomorrow in protest against the Act.

Prominent leaders and representatives present at the press conference included Karni Sena leaders Raj Singh Shekhawat and Ajit Singh, Vijay Kaushik of the Hindu Mahasabha, Anoop Srivastava of the Kayastha Mahasabha, Brigadier Anil Srivastava, former High Court Justice Sudhir Saxena, senior Supreme Court advocate D.P. Srivastava, Anil Agrawal of the Agrawal Mahasabha, Shridhar Salve, National President of the Bhim Sena, Kuldeep Pandey of Jansangh, Yogi Kishore Tiwari, Chhagan Singh Rathore, and several other representatives from organisations opposing the Act.

Addressing the media, Swami Anand Swaroop Maharaj stated that the UGC Act is deeply flawed and divisive in nature. He emphasized that society would not be allowed to be fragmented under any circumstances. He announced that a united movement would be launched at Ramlila Maidan on March 8, 2026, to demand the rollback of the Act.

He further stated that although the Supreme Court has temporarily stayed the implementation of the Act, it can only be permanently withdrawn through Parliament, as it was originally passed by Parliament. He added that a nationwide public awareness campaign against the Act will begin from February 1, and continuous protests will be carried out across the country.

Swami Anand Swaroop Maharaj warned that if the Modi government withdraws the Act before March 8, the agitation may be called off; otherwise, the movement on that day will be historic in scale. He cautioned the government against pursuing policies that divide society, warning that such actions would have serious consequences.

Shridhar Salve, National President of the Bhim Sena, declared full support for the Savarna Samaj Samanvay Samiti, stating that no force would be allowed to divide society. Raj Singh Shekhawat of the Karni Sena termed the UGC Act a “black law” and asserted that the protest would continue until the government repeals it. He also warned that failure to withdraw the Act would make it impossible for the BJP to return to power in the future.