Campus Times | Lucknow

Five suspended student leaders from University of Lucknow have approached senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan seeking legal intervention against the university administration over alleged repression during protests against a recent fee hike.

In a detailed representation submitted to Bhushan, the students accused the university administration of imposing a steep fee increase without adequate consultation or transparency. The students claimed that when they peacefully attempted to question the Vice-Chancellor over the revised fee structure, they were made to wait for nearly an hour before being denied a clear response.

According to the memorandum, the situation escalated after protesting students allegedly tried to stop the Vice-Chancellor from leaving the venue to press for answers. The administration subsequently lodged FIRs against several students and suspended multiple student leaders involved in the agitation.

The suspended students further alleged that they were threatened with expulsion and jail if they continued to oppose the fee hike or raise questions against the administration. They also claimed that some faculty members exerted pressure on students and warned them of academic consequences.

Calling the issue an attack on democratic rights and freedom of expression within educational institutions, the students urged Bhushan to provide legal assistance in challenging the FIRs and suspension orders. They also demanded an independent inquiry into the fee hike and alleged financial irregularities linked to the university’s fee structure.

The students said universities should remain spaces for dialogue and dissent, not fear and suppression, and expressed hope that constitutional and legal safeguards would protect their right to peaceful protest.