UGC draft an assault on TN’s heritage, says Stalin as DMK takes protest to Delhi

CHENNAI: Seeking to muster nationwide support for its opposition towards the draft UGC notifications, the DMK on Thursday organised a protest in the national capital, which saw Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav in attendance. Addressing the protest, Rahul Gandhi said the UGC move on the appointment of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges was an attempt to push the RSS agenda of imposing "one history, one tradition, one language" on the country.

Taking to 'X', Chief Minister MK Stalin said the UGC (draft) regulations were an assault on the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu and the federal principles of India. Exuding confidence that the voice raised by the DMK in Delhi today would resonate across the country, Stalin said, "The RSS-BJP agenda is clear: to erase diverse histories, traditions, and languages to impose a singular identity. As my brother Rahul Gandhi rightly said, the UGC draft is not merely an educational move; it is an assault on Tamil Nadu's rich heritage and the very essence of India's federalism."

Stalin also thanked Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav for expressing solidarity with the DMK on the issue.

"Reject UGC draft – Our DMK students' wing, MPs, and members of the INDIA bloc, including my dear brothers Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav deserve gratitude for amplifying students' voices in the capital and defending the future of education," Stalin posted.

"From NEET to CAA to the three farm laws, the DMK has led every fight to uphold our Constitution and pluralism. Today, our voice in New Delhi will resonate across India," added Stalin who got a resolution adopted in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly demanding the withdrawal of the UGC regulations.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also hit out at the BJP-RSS, alleging that they wanted to take over all the power of state governments.