Campus Times | Lucknow

The indefinite sit-in protest against the fee hike and the expulsion of students at Lucknow University entered its 51st day on Wednesday, with demonstrators continuing their agitation despite prolonged exposure to rain, scorching heat, and harsh weather conditions.

The protest, led by expelled students Prem Prakash, Prince Prakash, Harshit Shukla, and their supporters, seeks the rollback of the university fee hike, revocation of disciplinary action, and what the protesters describe as justice for students facing unjust expulsions.

The ongoing agitation received a significant boost as Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient and Gandhian thinker Sandeep Pandey, who is also the General Secretary of the Socialist Party (India), extended his support to the movement. Visiting the protest site, Pandey expressed solidarity with the students and urged the Lucknow University administration to engage in dialogue and accept their legitimate demands.

He strongly opposed the expulsion of the students, calling for a fair and democratic resolution to the issue. Pandey emphasized that educational institutions should encourage dialogue rather than punitive action against students raising concerns over matters affecting the campus community.

The protest, which initially began over the fee hike and disciplinary action against students, has gradually evolved into a broader campaign highlighting issues of student rights, accountability, and democratic space within the university. As the sit in stretches beyond seven weeks, it has increasingly drawn attention from social activists and political leaders.

Despite the prolonged agitation and adverse weather conditions, the protesters have vowed to continue their indefinite sit-in until their demands are addressed by the university administration. The university administration has not yet announced any fresh decision regarding the students demands or the disciplinary action.