Campus Times |Lucknow

Tensions flared at the New Campus of University of Lucknow in Jankipuram on Wednesday as hundreds of students staged a massive protest against the university administration over a controversial fee deadline and penalty notice. Students gathered on campus raising slogans against the Vice Chancellor and university officials after an announcement stated that admissions would be cancelled for those who failed to deposit their entrance fees by the stipulated deadline. Protesters claim that many students, due to financial hardship, were unable to pay the fees on time and were subsequently slapped with late fines and warned of cancellation.

Holding poster and card students chanted Chhatra Ekta Zindabad, students accused the administration of being insensitive to students’ economic struggles. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notice and waiver of the imposed penalties.

Police and Officials Attempt to Intervene

Local police reached the spot after being informed about the gathering and attempted to persuade students to disperse peacefully. University officials also met with protesters, urging them to end the agitation. However, students remained firm on their demands.

We have been sitting here since 10 a.m. The university team is threatening us with action if we don’t leave,” said one student participating in the sit-in protest. “If this ‘black law’ is not withdrawn, we will continue our peaceful protest till the very end.”

Students Demand Rollback dictatorship

Shailesh Pandey, an LLB final-year student, alleged that the Vice Chancellor issued a notice stating that admissions would be cancelled if fees were not deposited by the 28th of this month. This is administrative dictatorship. We demand that this notice be revoked immediately, Pandey said. According to protesting students, memorandums had already been submitted to the administration earlier, but no action was taken. They argue that instead of offering relief, the university imposed additional financial penalties.

 Protesters Highlight

·        The students have outlined the following demands:

·        Removal of the final deadline for fee submission

·        Waiver of late fees and penalties

·        Withdrawal of the order cancelling admissions

·        Restoration of the previous fee submission process

The protesters have warned that if their concerns are not addressed promptly, the agitation will continue in a peaceful yet determined manner.

As of now, the university administration has not issued an official statement responding to the specific demands raised during the protest.

The situation remains tense as students await a formal response from authorities.