BJP MPs Pitch National Panel For General Category

Amidst unceasing protests against the recent UGC equity guidelines and ever-growing voices seeking a review of the reservation system, a delegation of BJP MPs, according to reports, has formally requested the Central government to establish a “Rashtriya Savarna Aayog” (National Commission for General Category) on the lines of the SC/ST and OBC commissions. According to the buzz, the Centre is mulling a national body to safeguard the interests of the general category, though there is no official confirmation.

Speculation is rife that some BJP MPs have submitted a memorandum to former party president and Union minister J.P. Nadda advocating a Rashtriya Savarna Aayog on the lines of the Bihar Rajya Sawarna Ayog (Bihar State Upper Caste Commission) to look into issues like their grievances and welfare measures. However, there is no official word on whether or not any BJP MPs' delegation met Mr Nadda over the issue or submitted any memorandum.

According to BJP insiders, there is a growing concern within the party over the "brewing anger" among the general category on the UGC guidelines, who have now been demanding a review of the reservation system. This general category, or the upper caste, is considered the BJP’s core vote-bank. With the key elections scheduled early next year, feedback reaching the BJP top brass suggests that the anger among the general category could create problems for the party and its poll prospects.

The BJP is still nursing the wounds from the party's Bankipur bypoll loss. BJP president Nitin Nabin represented the Assembly seat from 2006 until he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. The seat has significant upper-caste voters, who, according to post-election analysis, did not favour the party in the bypoll. While the BJP leadership had been receiving feedback on growing anger among its core vote bank, the bypoll loss was received as a warning sign.

Sources said several BJP leaders, including MLAs, MPs and Union ministers, have been receiving complaints regarding the "disenchantment" among the upper castes with the BJP over the UGC guidelines and reservation issue. Protests against the UGC equity regulation had started earlier this year after the University Grants Commission notified the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026 on January 13. The Supreme Court stayed the equity regulation after the UGC and the government faced severe flak from students and academicians for being "anti-general caste". The issue also ignited the anti-reservation demands, with several sit-ins and protests being organised in several cities.

The BJP MPs advocating a dedicated national body to safeguard the interests of the general category argue that just as separate bodies exist for SC, ST, and OBC communities, a dedicated commission is required to address the socio-economic challenges, educational access, and employment grievances of the upper castes.