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The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Delhi Police to decide a plea seeking permission to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on September 20 opposing the recently notified University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed Dr. Raj Shekhawat, President of Kshatriya Karni Sena, to file a fresh application with the Delhi Police after his counsel informed Court that the date of protest has now been fixed for September 20 from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The Court directed that the fresh application be placed before the competent authority seeking permission to conduct a peaceful demonstration which will be decided within a week by September 14.

The Court directed the police to decide the application as per rules imposing any conditions which are appropriate as per law.

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

The Court today noted that three of the prayers have been rendered infructuous, while asking Shekhawat to file a fresh application with the revised date of protest.

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

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