Clash erupts at Lucknow University during Rohith Vemula memorial march

Tension escalated at Lucknow University on Saturday after a memorial march organised by the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (BAPSA) in remembrance of Rohith Vemula led to clashes with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

The situation briefly turned violent before police intervened to prevent further escalation.

Advertisement

According to reports, BAPSA students gathered near the Ambedkar statue on the university campus and took out a “Rohith Smriti Yatra” (Rohith Memorial March). The march began peacefully, with students raising slogans such as “Rohith we are ashamed, your killers are still alive,” demanding an end to discrimination and strict action against those responsible for such incidents.

Police personnel were deployed on campus to maintain law and order. Officials said the students were persuaded to disperse peacefully.

However, sometime later, an argument broke out between BAPSA supporters and ABVP activists, reportedly over sloganeering. The verbal altercation soon intensified, with both sides raising slogans against each other, creating a tense atmosphere on campus.

The confrontation allegedly turned into physical scuffles, prompting police personnel to step in and separate the groups. Eyewitnesses said the police struggled for some time to control the situation and prevent the violence from spreading.

In a statement, BAPSA alleged that its peaceful march was attacked by “RSS and ABVP members,” claiming that students were assaulted and attempts were made to stop the march forcefully. The organisation said one student sustained serious injuries during the incident. Despite the confrontation, BAPSA claimed the march concluded with slogans of “Jai Bhim.” The statement named several students who participated in the march.

On the other hand, a counter-complaint has been filed at the Hasanganj police station by Radheshyam Pandey, a research scholar from the English Department of Lucknow University. In his complaint, Pandey accused BAPSA members of carrying out an unauthorised march and raising objectionable slogans that could disturb social harmony.

Pandey alleged that slogans referring to “Brahmanavaad,” “Thakurvaad,” and “Suvidhavaad” were raised, and that he was specifically targeted because of his Brahmin identity and alleged association with ABVP. He further claimed that he was subjected to a life-threatening attack while heading towards the administrative building, and that his vehicle was stopped during the assault.

He also stated that his associates Kautumb Rai, Vivek Mishra, and Shivam Singh were present at the time, and that others nearby also suffered injuries.

The complaint names BAPSA president Shikhar Das, along with Ram Sharan, Ravi, and around 20 other individuals, accusing them of attempted murder. The complainant has demanded strict legal action against those involved.

Police officials confirmed that they have received the complaint and said the matter is under investigation. Authorities stated that appropriate action would be taken after examining all sides and reviewing available evidence.