Campus Times | Lucknow

An indefinite protest has begun at the campus of University of Lucknow after the university administration expelled three students in connection with an incident that took place at the Vice-Chancellor’s office on April 28.

The university has ordered the expulsion of Prem Prakash Yadav, an MA Hindi first-year student, Shashi Prakash, an MA Public Administration first-year student, and Harshit Shukla, an LLB (Three-Year Course) second-semester student. The three had earlier been suspended following the incident.

According to university sources, the action was taken after an inquiry conducted by the Proctorial Board found the students guilty of misconduct and recommended disciplinary measures. Acting on the findings, the Vice-Chancellor approved their expulsion from the university.

The decision carries long-term consequences for the students. Apart from being removed from their current programmes, all three have been barred from seeking admission to any future course offered by the university. Their entry into the university campus has also been prohibited with immediate effect.

The disciplinary action has triggered strong opposition from student groups and student leaders, who describe the expulsions as excessive and detrimental to student representation on campus. Opposing the action, students and student leaders have launched an indefinite protest near Gate No. 1 of the university campus. Protesters argue that disciplinary measures such as expulsion, suspension and monetary penalties are being used against students who raise issues related to student welfare.

During the protest, demonstrators put forward a five-point charter of demands. Their primary demand is the immediate withdrawal of the expulsions and the cancellation of all disciplinary actions, including suspensions and monetary penalties, against students raising issues related to student welfare.

The protesters have also demanded an immediate rollback of recent fee hikes, restoration of student union elections, removal of police deployment from the university campus, and the creation of designated spaces for student protests, including wall-painting areas and a permanent dharna site.

The ongoing demonstration has brought renewed attention to questions of student representation, campus governance and the scope of dissent within the university, with student groups indicating that the protest will continue until their demands are addressed.