New Delhi, February 24 – Tension gripped Lucknow University on Tuesday after members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), along with activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, attempted to recite the Hanuman Chalisa at the historic Lal Baradari within the campus.
Police intervened, detained several students, and escorted them away from the area.
The protest was triggered by allegations that permission had been granted for offering prayers at Lal Baradari, while Hindu students were not allowed to recite the Hanuman Chalisa at the same location.
A protester stated, "Permission is given to offer prayers here, but permission is not given to recite the Hanuman Chalisa here."
Heavy police deployment was made at the university, particularly at Gate No. 3, in response to the protest. Three platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and personnel from two local police stations were stationed at the entrance. The police prevented protesting groups from proceeding further into the campus.
Members of Bajrang Dal claimed they had gathered to recite the Hanuman Chalisa at Lal Baradari. "We came here today to recite the Hanuman Chalisa at Lal Baradari. Until yesterday, it was a dilapidated structure – how did it suddenly become a mosque? Some student groups offered prayers there, and some people supported them. Who was attacking them?" a Bajrang Dal activist questioned.
Reacting to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, "The entire matter is under investigation. We will take care of everything and, under any circumstances, maintain law and order."
The incident follows earlier protests on the campus.
Earlier on Monday, students affiliated with the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha (SCS), the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) staged a sit-in protest overnight outside Lal Baradari.
They alleged that the university administration had deliberately sealed a mosque inside the historic structure to prevent Muslim students from offering prayers during the holy month of Ramzan.
