On February 9, Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (KDSS) staged a protest in Kalaburagi. They demanded immediate enforcement of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2026. The samiti condemned the Supreme Court's interim stay on these rules, calling it a "serious setback for social justice." KDSS State convenor D.G. Sagar and activist R.K. Hudgi said the regulations are a key reform to stop caste-based discrimination in higher education. The rules include equal opportunity centres, helplines, and monitoring to ensure a safe and fair environment for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and backward class students. Dr. Sagar highlighted the rise in "institutional killings" of marginalised students due to discrimination inside universities. He mentioned cases like Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, and Darshan Solanki, calling these tragedies proof of systemic failure. Between 2007 and 2011, at least 20 students from marginalised groups died by suicide linked to caste bias. He also cited Union government data submitted to the Supreme Court revealing that around 122 students from top institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and NITs took their lives between 2014 and 2021. This showed a deep mental health crisis and exclusion in academia. Dr. Sagar urged the Union government to approach the Supreme Court to lift the stay and enforce the UGC rules immediately to protect vulnerable students. Later, KDSS handed a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, addressed to the Prime Minister, demanding quick action to implement these regulations and ensure equity and dignity in higher education.