Lucknow University Students Face Major Disruption Due to RSS Event Security
Students at Lucknow University experienced significant inconvenience for approximately four hours on Wednesday, as they were prevented from reaching their academic departments or accessing the cashier's office to collect essential documents. The disruption stemmed from heightened security measures implemented for a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) research scholars' dialogue programme held at Malviya Hall on campus.
Security Blockades Hinder Campus Access
Entry through the main gate and Gate No. 2, which provides access to most humanities departments, was severely restricted. Police personnel blocked routes leading to the Canning College building and the main university building, creating barricades that left many students stranded. This security arrangement was put in place to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the RSS event, but it inadvertently caused widespread delays for routine academic activities.
Students from various departments, including Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, Hindi, Political Science, Western History, and Education, were forced to wait near these security barricades after being stopped by authorities. The inability to enter campus facilities disrupted their plans to obtain critical paperwork such as degree certificates, migration certificates, and enrolment forms.
Student Accounts Highlight Frustration
Anamika Jaiswal, a BA student, shared her experience of the ordeal. "I needed to collect an enrolment form from the cashier's office. I was stopped from entering the campus from Gate 1 and Gate 2 around 9:30 am, as an event was going on. It was only after 12 noon that I and other students who came for migration certificates, mark sheets, and other work were allowed entry," she explained. This delay of nearly four hours affected numerous students who had arrived early to complete administrative tasks, leading to frustration and wasted time.
Protests Erupt Over Alleged Bias
Meanwhile, the event faced vocal opposition from student representatives of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and the National Students' Union of India. They raised slogans of "Mohan Bhagwat go back", protesting what they perceived as unequal treatment on campus. The protesters alleged that events linked to the ruling party were being facilitated while student wings of opposition parties were consistently denied access to halls for their academic programmes.
This incident has sparked a broader debate about the balance between security needs for campus events and the uninterrupted functioning of university operations. Students emphasized that such disruptions impede their academic progress and administrative responsibilities, calling for more considerate planning in the future.
