Campus Times | Lucknow

The indefinite protest at Lucknow University entered its ninth day on Wednesday, with students intensifying their agitation against the expulsion of student leaders and the recent fee hike. Protesters gathered at Gate No. 1 of the university campus and reiterated that the protest would continue until the administration addresses their demands.

Students are seeking the immediate revocation of disciplinary action taken against expelled student leaders, a rollback of the fee hike, and a fair and transparent resolution of the ongoing dispute.

The protest has received support from a delegation of the Samajwadi Party (SP), which visited the campus and expressed solidarity with the agitating students.

The delegation was led by Shyamlal Pal, State President of the Samajwadi Party. Other members included Er. Vineet Kushwaha, State President of Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha; Jaisingh Jayant, Lucknow District President of the Samajwadi Party; Shabbir Ahmad Khan, State General Secretary and Spokesperson; Sharmila Maharaj; Om Lodhi, District President of Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha; and Javed Ali, Metropolitan President of Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha.

Later, Arvind Giri, Uttar Pradesh President of Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, also visited the protest site and extended support to the students.

Leaders Criticise Expulsions and Fee Hike

Addressing the gathering, SP leaders described the expulsions as “undemocratic, repressive, and anti-student.” They stated that students have a democratic right to oppose fee hikes and questioned the administration’s decision to expel those raising concerns about the affordability and accessibility of education.

The leaders also alleged that restricting basic facilities such as electricity and water at the protest site reflects an insensitive approach toward student grievances. They urged the university administration to revoke the expulsions, initiate dialogue with the students, and review the fee hike decision.

The agitation also received support from Surendra Rajput, National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, who joined the protest and criticised the disciplinary action taken against the students.

Writer and poet Ritesh Rajwada also visited the campus and expressed solidarity with the protesters.

Several speakers at the gathering termed the Vice-Chancellor’s actions arbitrary and undemocratic and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the expulsions.

Students participating in the protest, including Prince Prakash, Prem Yadav, Harshit Shukla, Abhishek Srivastava, Mahendra Yadav, Vipul Yadav, and Vishal Singh, stated that the agitation would continue until their concerns are addressed.