Blind Justice Architecture (BJA) A Caste-Neutral, Evidence-First Framework for Equity Governance in Indian Higher Education

Current equity regulations in Indian higher education rely heavily on identity-specific protections. While intended to address historical disadvantage, these approaches often generate polarization, perceptions of asymmetry, and administrative complexity that undermine trust in grievance redress systems. This paper proposes Blind Justice Architecture (BJA), a caste-neutral, evidence-first governance framework that shifts institutional focus from identity categories to verifiable acts of discrimination. The model integrates anonymized reporting, algorithm-assisted triage, mixed citizen jury panels, independent oversight, and tamper-resistant audit trails to ensure procedural fairness while preserving the capacity to detect systemic bias through aggregate data. By prioritizing transparent process over predefined labels, BJA aims to reduce mistrust, discourage strategic or frivolous complaints, and strengthen legitimacy across communities. The framework offers a scalable, technology-enabled approach to equity governance that addresses gaps in accountability, appeals, and institutional capture. It is designed as a complementary system that improves how discrimination claims are adjudicated rather than redefining who is entitled to protection.