Denied admission by LU, student leaders start ‘open university’ at Lohia Park
LUCKNOW: The Lohia Park in Gomti Nagar here witnessed a unique classroom on Wednesday evening. After being denied admission by the vice-chancellor, the members of the Lucknow University Chhatra Sangharsh Morcha started a “parallel university” which they dubbed as “sadak par vishwavidyalaya” (university on the streets).
A group of 50 youths—who were either denied admission by the Lucknow University on disciplinary grounds or could not crack the entrance test—converged near the Lohia Park’s gate number 2 and sat on the staircase.
The reason behind this class was the July 4 incident on the LU campus when a group of “expelled” varsity students had beat up teachers in broad day light. Following the incident, the university was closed down for few days.
The high court took serious view of the incident and asked vice chancellor SP Singh, DGP OP Singh and others to personally appear before the court.
Soon after the incident, the Lucknow University Chhatra Sangharsh Morcha started roping in student leaders of other educational institutes to support their campaign.
Under the campaign, they also decided to run university on the streets of Lucknow. The students invited assistant professor of Hindi at Christ Church College in Kanpur, Avadhesh Misra to take their classes. Misra took the class in the open air and gave a lecture on the societal change.
One of the youth, Gaurav Tripathi, 21, who applied for business economics at LU, said he did not get admission so he started the hunger strike and was also hospitalized for the same. He further said that no one even came to visit or even talk about it.
Addressing the students, Misra said: “Universities are the centre of knowledge and whenever any problem arises in the society, it enlightens the path.” He also talked about the importance of Hindi literature in the society. The students said that the protest against the dictatorship of the university and government would continue. They have also decided to go to other university and colleges to take their feedback, result of which will be counted on July 29.
Minutes before the class began, brisk rain hit the area. Talking about the weather, one of the student said, “Mausam se ladte hue aaye hai aur aage bhi ladte rahenge (We came here fighting the weather and will continue to fight).”
Another such class was scheduled on Thursday, the protesters said.