Lucknow University students stage fee hike protest; beg for alms outside campus

LUCKNOW: Students of Lucknow University staged a protest against a recent fee hike on Monday, resorting to a unique form of demonstration by begging for alms outside the campus.The protest comes amid rising anger over what students allege is a steep increase in fees for several courses, including LLB.Speaking to PTI, student Shivaji Yadav said they were informed about the fee hike only last week, with fees reportedly almost doubled for certain programmes. He said the students immediately began protesting and even launched an indefinite sit-in demonstration.Shivaji Yadav, a student of Lucknow University, said, “We were informed just last week that our fees have been increased, almost doubled, for courses like LLB. In response, we staged a protest and even went on an indefinite demonstration. We met the Vice-Chancellor, who assured us that the fees would be reduced, but no action has been taken so far. We appeal to the government to roll back the fee hike and restore the previous fee structure. Most students here are not from wealthy backgrounds; they come from families of farmers and labourers. There should be provisions to ensure affordable, if not free, education for them.”Yadav added that the protestors also met the vice-chancellor, who assured them that the fee structure would be reviewed and reduced. However, he claimed that no concrete action has been taken so far.(With agency inputs)