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A plea has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking permission to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar opposing and raising awareness about the recently notified University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026.

The plea has been filed by Dr. Raj Shekhawat, President of Kshatriya Karni Sena. It has been filed through Advocate Himanshu Sharma.

Shekhawat has said that the peaceful protest is proposed for the purpose of “expressing views and grievances concerning reservation policies and matters relating to the new UGC framework.”

The protest is being done seeking withdrawal of the 2026 Regulations. Shekhawat has relied upon Supreme Court's order to keep the new regulations in abeyance after finding some of the provisions to suffer from certain ambiguities and the possibility of their misuse.

Shekhawat has said that his grievance is the same as articulated by the Apex Court which has found that the issue raises substantial questions of law requiring examination by a three judges bench. 

Shekhawat has challenged the rejection communication issued by the Delhi Police on August 28. In the alternative, he has sought that his application be reconsidered and a fresh reasoned order be passed within 24 hours.

The protest is scheduled to take place on September 06, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

The matter was listed today before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. However, since the Bench was on leave, the same was taken up by Justice Amit Mahajan.

As the counsel for the petitioner cited urgency, the Court said that it cannot pass any order in the absence of the Delhi Police, which is a necessary party to the lis.

“You change the date of the protest. It's okay…. What is so sacrosanct about the date? You can change the date also. Police is not agreeing on a particular date then you can change the date. What's the big deal? What can I do now? I cannot give you permission without hearing them,” the Court said orally.

As the petitioner's counsel said that it can consider changing the date of protest, the Court listed the matter before the roster bench on Monday.

As per the plea, the impugned communication stated that the proposed demonstration cannot be permitted because of ongoing preparations for the BRICS Summit-2026, strengthening of security arrangements, law and order and traffic considerations.

It is his case that the rejection is legally unsustainable as the BRICS Summit is scheduled for 12-13 September at Bharat Mandapam, whereas the proposed demonstration is scheduled for 06 September.

“More importantly, Jantar Mantar and Bharat Mandapam are geographically distinct locations, and the Petitioners' proposed programme does not involve any march, procession or movement towards Bharat Mandapam or towards any BRICS-related venue or security route,” the plea states.

It adds: “The Petitioners are willing to expressly undertake that no procession shall be taken out from Jantar Mantar and no participant shall move towards Bharat Mandapam or any protected/security route connected with the Summit.”

Title: DR RAJ SHEKHAWAT v. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS

Case Number: W.P.(C)-12776/2026

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