South Central 60: UGC rules protests and the myth of ‘misuse’, Kerala SNDP-NSS breakup

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the new UGC equity regulations and the protests around them. They are joined by TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal and rights lawyer Mridula Vanangamudi.

Dhanya starts the discussion by citing the protests, which bring up a history of misuse of the SC/ST Act and the Supreme Court stay on the matter. 

“When you are assuming that an entire class of people will file false cases, that in itself is discrimination. If we go by the argument that the law is being misused by looking at low conviction rates, then by that logic, any law can be misused. Most special Acts, like the UAPA, have low convictions. But the UGC regulations need revision. There is no explicit prohibitory clause against caste discrimination, and that has to be put in,” Mrudula says.

Pooja notes that this kind of argument is heard in most contexts. “If these regulations are not put in place in educational institutions, how will we make the problem any better?”

“This misuse argument is a kind of denialism. The emergence of the SC/ST categories as separately protected started in 1919 when Ambedkar raised it. He spoke about dignity, human rights, and existence for the marginalised caste, which should be considered when we imagine a post-colonial India. The basis is that the SC/ST are separately marginalised by all communities and all imaginations. So this warrants special protections. And even now, segregation exists in people’s minds, though it may have slightly disintegrated spatially. The fascist ambition is entrapped by the Constitution, and we need to address that,” says Sudipto.

“Misuse is one thing, but where does this anxiety come from? Many in general categories say they will be unnecessarily sent to jail if there are complaints. The maximum could be an apology. But there is also not much clarity about where this process is headed,” Mrudula says.

The show then turns its attention to the fast-paced political negotiations and developments in Kerala, headed for Assembly polls soon. The hosts are joined by Damodar Prasad, a senior political analyst based in Kerala.

Dhanya starts the discussion by asking about the SNDP-NSS back and forth about coming together. 

Damodar Prasad says that one reason for the two groups coming together could be their opposition to Opposition Leader VD Satheeshan. 

Natesan was later conferred a Padma Bhushan, and NSS decided to withdraw from the alliance, citing that Natesan’s son Thushar is the NDA convenor in the state. 

Dhanya asks whether the NSS is really in opposition to the BJP gaining power in the state.

Damodar says this could be one reason. “But NSS resists the BJP for a few reasons. One being that the BJP may take control of the NSS since many people from the Nair community are joining the BJP. Sukumaran Nair has certain interests with the Congress party as well. He has a warm relationship with several leaders except Satheeshan. NSS might want to go with the Congress rather than the BJP because the NSS also does not have an outside Kerala interest. Another factor is also Sukumaran Nair’s agenda against reservations. But he has not been as communal as Natesan in his public speeches, so far,” he explains.

All this and more.  

Tune in to the discussions here 

Listen & follow on Apple

Listen & follow on Spotify

Listen & follow on YouTube

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com 

Send your thoughts, suggestions, and criticism as well.

You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.

Audio Timecodes 

00:02:47: Headlines 

00:09:36 - UGC Rules 

00:50:37 - Kerala Politics 

1:20:52 - Recommendations

References

Watch: The Great Nicobar Project: Millions of trees, and tribes at risk

Rahul Gandhi-Kanimozhi hold cordial talks, no decision on seat sharing| Powertrip #136

A cash-rich newcomer is shaking up Malayalam television news: Does the math add up?

UGC can debar universities for caste bias under newly notified regulations

Recommendations 

Mridula Vanangamudi

The Political Value of Time

Damodar Prasad

Ghost-Eye

Swipe, scroll and self-diagnose: How Instagram turned healing into a hashtag

Why We Fall for Narcissistic Leaders, Starting in Grade School

 Sudipto Mondal 

Dust on the Throne: The Search for Buddhism in Modern India

Pooja Prasanna

Dalpat Chauhan’s alternative Dalit history of Gujarat

Ted Lasso

Dhanya Rajedran

In the Dark

Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. 

To check out our other shows, Click here 

To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.