Lucknow University students protest ‘sealing’ of Mughal-era structure on campus, claim namaz access blocked

The protest erupted on Sunday shortly after fencing work at Lal Baradari commenced amid heavy police deployment, with students, led by members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha, calling it “unauthorised”.

“The gate through which our Muslim brothers used to enter Lal Baradari to offer prayers has been locked and sealed,” said Vishal Singh, national coordinator of the NSUI.

It earlier housed a bank and a canteen but owing to its deteriorating condition, both ceased operations there around 2017-18. (Express Photo)

He said they have sought the reopening of the hall and restoration of the structure, and have urged the university to request the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out an inspection and release its report in the public domain.

Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha leader Prem Prakash Yadav alleged that the action was being carried out without any prior notice, that too during the Ramzan period, and said they would stage a silent protest in response.

The university, however, said some students had removed portions of the fencing and thrown away construction material kept near the site. Heavy police presence was deployed across the campus to prevent any untoward incident.

Vishal also claimed namaz was offered outside the Lal Baradari building.

Videos surfaced online showing the students offering namaz while seven student wing members formed a human chain. Describing the gesture as a message of communal harmony amid the prevailing tension, Vishal said the students also broke their fast outside the building after offering prayers.

Videos surfaced online showing students forming a human chain as namaz is being offered.

Lal Baradari earlier housed a bank and a canteen but owing to its deteriorating condition, both ceased operations there around 2017-18. Although directions had been issued restricting entry into the premises, some students were reportedly continuing to enter the structure.

Later in the day, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad also reached the spot and raised slogans. “We did not oppose the protest, but voiced concerns over the involvement of outsiders in university matters. We want the university to take a decision that’s in the best interest of the students,” they said.

On Monday evening, students called off their protest after submitting a memorandum outlining their demands to the authorities. “As the Vice-Chancellor is not in town, the Registrar… assured us she would take up the issue with the V-C and hold discussions thereafter,” said Vishal.
When contacted, University Registrar Bhavana Mishra said the administration was not aware of anyone offering namaz inside the structure and maintained that there is no mosque within the building. She added that all activities being carried out there were shifted elsewhere around 2017 after the structure began to deteriorate.

Mishra said the fencing is being put up to prevent people from entering the premises following reports that some students were still accessing the building despite safety concerns. “We are in correspondence with the ASI and other authorities. It is being planned to preserve the building as a heritage structure,” she said.

The university had written to the Station House Officer of Hasanganj police station on Saturday, requesting security arrangements around the building. Registrar Mishra said the letter was sent as a precautionary measure after the administration received information that some students might create obstacles during the fencing work.