Tension Erupts at Lucknow University Over Prayers at Heritage Lal Baradari Structure
Lucknow witnessed tense moments on Tuesday after a group of students at the University of Lucknow gathered near the historic Lal Baradari structure on campus to recite the Hanuman Chalisa.
The development came a day after videos surfaced online showing another group of students offering namaz at the same site, intensifying an already sensitive situation.
Background: Dispute Over Fencing of Lal Baradari
The controversy began earlier this week when the university administration erected fencing around Lal Baradari, a Mughal-era structure situated within the campus premises.
Officials stated that the building is in a dilapidated condition and that the fencing was installed purely as a safety measure to prevent accidents.
However, student groups led by members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha protested the move, alleging that the fencing was unauthorized.
They claimed it restricted access to Muslim students and members of the local community who offer prayers there during the holy month of Ramzan.
Videos circulated on social media showed namaz being offered at the site while seven members of a student wing reportedly formed a human chain around those praying. The visuals further fueled campus tensions.
Tuesday’s Protest: Hanuman Chalisa Recitation
On Tuesday afternoon, a group of students claiming affiliation with right-wing organizations assembled near Lal Baradari.
According to eyewitness accounts, they sprinkled Ganga jal (holy water) at the spot and began chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, allegedly in response to Monday’s namaz.
The students also raised slogans, accusing rival political groups of disturbing the academic atmosphere.
“We had planned to recite the Hanuman Chalisa five times, but due to the police presence, we could manage only two recitations.
The police forcibly removed us from the site and released us after detaining us for a few hours,” alleged Ujjawal Singh, one of the protesting students.
A police team already deployed on campus quickly intervened as heated arguments broke out between protesters and university officials.
Additional police personnel were called in to disperse the gathering and prevent escalation.
Police and Administration Response
To maintain order, additional security forces were deployed in and around Lal Baradari.
“The situation is under control and peace has been maintained,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lucknow, Jitendra Kumar Dubey.
Earlier in the day, authorities had stepped up security after receiving information that a group was planning to assemble near the structure. Barricades were placed around the site as a precautionary measure.
The university administration declined to comment further on Tuesday’s developments.
However, on Monday, Registrar Bhavana Mishra clarified that the administration was unaware of any namaz being offered inside the structure and firmly stated that there is no mosque within Lal Baradari.
She emphasized that the fencing was erected for safety reasons, noting that some individuals continued to access the building despite its deteriorating condition.
“We are in correspondence with the ASI and other authorities. It is being planned to preserve the building as a heritage structure,” she had said.
Heritage Structure at the Center of Campus Tensions
Lal Baradari, a Mughal-era edifice within the university campus, has now become the focal point of a broader debate involving religious practices, campus politics, and heritage conservation.
While one side alleges restriction of religious access, the administration maintains that the steps taken are solely for structural safety and preservation.
For now, with heavy police presence and barricading in place, authorities say the situation remains under control — but the episode has underscored the delicate balance between heritage management, student activism, and communal sensitivities within educational institutions.
