Lucknow University protests: 7 students get show-cause notices, 13 to furnish Rs 50k personal bonds

According to Chitvan Kumar, Station House Officer of Hasanganj police station, the magistrate issued notices to the 13 to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each, along with two sureties of the like amount, to ensure the maintenance of law and order for a year following the incident that occurred yesterday (Monday). He said the action has been initiated in view of the said incident and on the apprehension that the possibility of a future disturbance to public peace cannot be ruled out.

Lal Baradari is a Mughal-era structure located within the Lucknow University campus. A notice has been put up declaring it dangerous. (Express photo)

The notice states that based on a police report, “it has been brought on record that students allegedly made deliberate attempts to obstruct construction work being carried out at Lal Baradari within the university premises”. It was further reported that they staged a protest by sitting on a road inside the campus, raised slogans, and attempted to offer namaz at a public place, “thereby creating a situation with the potential to disturb public order and disrupt communal harmony, resulting in tension”.

“In view of the above, there exists a strong likelihood that the respondents may engage in acts in the future that could lead to a breach of public peace. Accordingly, a request has been made to summon them and bind them down with substantial sureties. Upon perusal of the police report, it has been observed that there is sufficient apprehension that the respondents may, at any time in the future, commit acts likely to disturb public tranquillity,” the notice further stated.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, the varsity saw tense scenes after students allegedly affiliated to right-wing groups raised slogans at Lal Baradari and sprinkled Ganga jal.

Police immediately attempted to remove the group even as they alleged that students affiliated with other political groups had created a disturbance on campus the previous day. Additional police teams were eventually called in to remove them.

“We had planned to recite the Hanuman Chalisa five times, but due to police presence we could manage only two recitations. Police forcibly took us away from the spot,” alleged Ujjawal Singh, one of the protesting students.

“The situation is under control and peace has been maintained,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lucknow, Jitendra Kumar Dubey.

The fresh stir comes days after students, led by members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha, protested the administration’s move to fence off the Lal Baradari, claiming it was unauthorised.

The student groups also claimed it restricted access for Muslim students and community members who offer prayers there during Ramzan. Videos had also surfaced online showing namaz being offered at the site while seven student wing members formed a human chain.

On Monday, university authorities had said the structure is in a dilapidated condition and that the fencing was erected as a safety measure. It also denied claims by students that a hall inside Lal Baradari had been used as a mosque.