Responding to a national student call to strengthen enforceable equity mechanisms in higher education, students of the University of Lucknow organized the “Samta Samvardhan March” on 13 February 2026. The march began from Gate No. 3 and was scheduled to proceed to Gate No. 1 of the University.
The march was organized around clear structural demands. Students called for explicit legal recognition of caste-based discrimination as a distinct and legally actionable institutional violation within higher educational institutions. They demanded fully autonomous Equal Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination Bodies insulated from routine administrative control, along with the establishment of an Independent State-Level Higher Education Social Justice Commission empowered with powers of inquiry, monitoring and binding recommendations.
Participants emphasized substantive and decision-making representation of SC, ST, OBC, minority communities, women, gender-diverse persons and persons with disabilities in all grievance redressal mechanisms. Students further demanded time-bound grievance procedures, independent appellate oversight beyond university administration, statutory protection against victimization of complainants, institutional accountability for fellowship delays and discriminatory evaluation practices, mandatory annual public reporting of discrimination data, and periodic independent social equity audits.
Students also noted that data acknowledged by the University Grants Commission indicates that complaints relating to discrimination and harassment in higher educational institutions have increased by approximately 118%
over the past five years. Participants asserted that this sharp rise demonstrates the inadequacy of existing mechanisms and underscores the need for stronger, enforceable institutional safeguards.
Despite prior written intimation to the authorities regarding the peaceful nature of the march, heavy police deployment was placed along the entire route. Barricades were erected, and students were prevented from proceeding. The march was stopped, and several student leaders were forcibly detained. Eyewitnesses reported that student representatives were dragged by police personnel while attempting to continue the peaceful procession.
Students stated that such action stands in stark contrast to earlier protests opposing equity protections and the demand for a Rohith Act, where comparable levels of policing and force were not observed. Participants described this as selective enforcement and suppression of constitutionally protected democratic expression.
Further, despite advance communication and the stated intention to submit a memorandum, the district administration did not turn up to receive the memorandum from the students. Participants described this refusal as administrative disregard for democratic engagement and student representation.
Even in the face of obstruction and detention, the protest remained peaceful and constitutionally grounded. Students reiterated that their demands seek to strengthen institutional accountability and protect marginalized students from discrimination.
Several student organizations joined the march in solidarity, including AISA, NSUI, SCS, BASF, SFI, BAPSA, YUVA and Ambedkarvadi Vidhyarthi Sangh, reflecting broad student unity on the issue of enforceable equity mechanisms.
Harshvardhan, Joint Secretary of AISA UP, stated, “When complaints of discrimination have risen sharply, preventing students from marching only reinforces the urgency of independent and enforceable equity bodies.”
Shubham Kharwar, General Secretary of NSUI UP, said, “Students peacefully raising constitutional demands should not be met with force. Institutional accountability cannot be silenced.”
Mahendra Yadav, National Vice President of SCS, remarked, “Stopping the march does not stop the issue. Caste-based discrimination requires statutory recognition and independent oversight.”
Varun Azad from BASF stated, “Dragging student leaders for demanding accountability reflects intolerance toward democratic dissent.”
Abdul Wahab, Secretary of SFI UP, added, “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental. Suppression only strengthens our resolve.”
Amendra Kumar, President of YUVA, said, “If equity mechanisms were functioning effectively, students would not have to take to the streets. Administrative force cannot replace institutional reform.”
Shubham Rawat from YUVA stated, “Preventing students from submitting a memorandum shows reluctance to engage with genuine concerns.”
Vipin Kumar, leader of Ambedkarvadi Vidhyarthi Sangh, said, “When students demanding action against caste-based discrimination are stopped and detained, it reveals the depth of the problem.”
Rohit Kumar, leader of Ambedkarvadi Vidhyarthi Sangh, added, “Dalit and marginalized students are demanding dignity. Administrative obstruction cannot deny that reality.”
Sameer Kumar, a student of the University of Lucknow, stated, “We marched peacefully. Being stopped and seeing leaders dragged only proves why independent mechanisms are necessary.”
The Samta Samvardhan March concluded with students reaffirming that the struggle for autonomous, representative and enforceable equity mechanisms in higher education will continue through peaceful and democratic means.
