Campus Times | Lucknow 

Amid growing unrest over a fee hike, alleged corruption, student expulsions and deteriorating campus facilities, hundreds of students gathered at Lucknow University on Friday for a student Maha Panchayat. The meeting brought together student leaders, expelled representatives and members of various student organizations, who collectively voiced opposition to what they described as anti-student policies and administrative insensitivity.

The gathering was attended by expelled student leaders Prem Prakash, Prince Prakash, and Harshit Shukla, who extended support to the ongoing movement and called for greater student unity.

Administration accused of ignoring student concerns

Addressing the Maha Panchayat, Prem Prakash said the struggle against the fee hike, corruption and policies perceived as anti-student would continue, adding that students must remain united to protect their rights.

Prince Prakash questioned the disciplinary action taken against students raising concerns over university affairs. Harshit Shukla criticized the administration for failing to improve the academic environment and basic facilities on campus. 

Backing the movement, Mahendra Kumar Yadav, National Vice President of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha, said the agitation was no longer limited to the issue of increased fees. According to him, it had evolved into a broader fight to protect affordable education and democratic rights. Manish Kumar, State President of AISA, described the Lucknow University protest as part of a larger student movement and demanded the reinstatement of expelled students along with the withdrawal of the fee hike.

Shubham Kharwar, State General Secretary of NSUI, said students were being harassed instead of being heard and called for the immediate revocation of expulsions and resolution of pending student issues.

Key demands raised

During the Maha Panchayat, students and representatives of different organizations unanimously demanded:

• Immediate rollback of the fee hike.

• Reinstatement of expelled students.

• An impartial investigation into alleged corruption and irregularities.

• Improvement of campus facilities and resolution of student welfare issues.

• Greater transparency and accountability in administrative decision-making.

Protest may intensify

The speakers warned that if the university administration does not engage with students demands and take corrective measures, the ongoing agitation could be expanded into a larger movement in the coming days.

The Maha Panchayat was conducted by student leaders Atul Shukla and Tauqeel Ghazi and was attended by former student union leaders, political activists and hundreds of students, highlighting the growing momentum behind the protest.