Campus Times | Lucknow

On the 45th day of the indefinite sit-in protest against the fee hike and the expulsion of students, the agitation at Lucknow University intensified with the launch of a campus wide signature campaign aimed at mobilising broader student support.

A large number of students participated in the campaign, signing in support of demands to roll back the fee hike and ensure justice for expelled students. The drive, however, witnessed tense moments after members of the university Proctorial Board, accompanied by police personnel, allegedly attempted to stop the campaign and remove banners installed at the protest site. The move was met with resistance from the protesting students, who continued the campaign despite the intervention.

Student protesters maintained that their movement is not directed against any individual but is centred on safeguarding equal access to education, protecting student rights and ensuring justice. They reiterated that the indefinite protest would continue until the fee hike is withdrawn and the expelled students are granted justice.

The protest also received political backing on Thursday as Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee incharge and former minister Rajendra Pal Gautam visited the dharna site to express solidarity with the students.

During his visit, Gautam participated in the signature campaign by adding his own signature and urged others to support what he described as a democratic movement for accessible education and student rights.

Addressing the gathering, Gautam alleged that democratic spaces within Lucknow University are being systematically curtailed. He criticised the fee hike, claiming it would push students from economically weaker backgrounds away from higher education, and alleged that the expulsion of students raising questions had created an atmosphere of fear on campus.

He further said that the Congress party stands firmly with the protesting students and would raise the issue at the national level. Gautam also asserted that authoritarian functioning within the university administration would not be allowed to prevail.