The Maharashtra Legislative Council passed the “Maharashtra Public University Act, 2016 (Third Amendment) Bill” on 28 December.
Highlights:
The act is being opposed because it calls for LGBTQIA community members to be included on university boards.
A provision for a “Board of Equal Opportunity” is included in the amended act.
A board of equal opportunity shall be established in each university, according to the act. The board will be in charge of planning, monitoring, guiding, and coordinating a variety of development and welfare programs, regulations, policies.
It also is in charge of schemes aimed at ensuring the welfare, development, and social protection of students, non-TEACHING employees, and teachers from underrepresented groups, minorities, Women, and LGBTQIA people.
These rights will be extended to “persons with disabilities for the purpose of promoting and establishing values of , Equality, dignity, and social Justice.”