[Onthebarricades] Uttar Pradesh anti-union crackdown prompts student unrest

[Andy]

Attacks on student political rights have provoked mass protests in Uttar 
Pradesh, India.  The ruling party has launched a massive attack on freedom 
on campus, banning student unions.  Police deployed on campus to create 
police state environment so as to end pro-democracy "agitation", including 
measures such as ID checks, bans on processions. The party in power in Uttar 
Pradesh, Bahujan Samaj, is a socialist-inclined party but has overseen 
attacks on the poor.  Samajwadi Party, mentioned in the reports, is an 
opposition party formerly in charge in the state, also socialist.  The 
attack on student unionism and attempt to create politics-free universities 
has been met with mass unrest.

A Muslim university in Lucknow has also been closed down indefinitely after 
unrest following a murder; it is not clear to me from the coverage if the 
incidents at AMU in the same city is related to the wider unrest.  Ditto 
another protest on student fees.  These stories are attached at the bottom.

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14523738&vsv=SHGTslot2

Students go on a rampage in Uttar Pradesh Saturday, 08 September , 2007, 
22:38 Lucknow: Students went on a rampage across Uttar Pradesh on Saturday 
to protest Chief Minister Mayawati's decision to ban student union 
elections. Angry students organised protest marches and set several vehicles 
on fire.

A police spokesperson said that over 150 students had been taken into 
custody during the protests.
Students torched three vehicles and damaged a bus in the town of Ballia. 
Over two dozen students were taken into custody in Basti town while they 
were holding a demonstration to protest the government's decision.
A large number of students protested at Ayodhya and Faizabad. In Varanasi, 
incidents of stone pelting were reported from several places and students 
even damaged buses.
Over 40 students were detained at Ferozabad after they participated in a 
procession to protest the decision. Security personnel were deployed across 
the state to prevent any untoward incident, said official sources.
In Gorakhpur, a bandh call by students evoked a mixed response with a 
majority of shops and other business establishments remaining shut. Students 
burnt Mayawati's effigy at several places and shouted anti-government 
slogans demanding immediate withdrawal of the order.
Tension also gripped the Lucknow University campus where students sat on a 
dharna to register their protest. Police in riot gear were deployed in and 
around the varsity campus and at the vice-chancellor's residence to prevent 
any untoward incident, police sources said.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200709081822.htm

Students react sharply to ban on student union elections
Lucknow, Sept. 8 (PTI): Students demonstrated at several places and torched 
vehicles today to register their protest over the Uttar Pradesh government's 
decision to ban student union elections.
They set ablaze three vehicles besides damaging a state roadways bus in 
Ballia town where educational institutions have been closed till further 
orders as a precautionary measure, official sources said.
Over 24 students were taken into custody at Basti town while they were 
holding a protest demonstration, the sources said.
A large number of students also held protest demonstrations at Ayodhya and 
Faizabad where at least one degree college - Saket Degree College - had been 
closed fearing unrest.
Security personnel in strength had been deployed in the twin cities to 
prevent any untoward incident, the sources said adding that over 12 students 
had been taken into custody.
In Gorakhpur town, protesting students had given a call for bandh which 
evoked good response with a majority of shops and business establishment 
remaining closed, they said.
Protestors burnt Chief Minister Mayawati's effigy and shouted 
anti-government slogans demanding immediate withdrawal of the order.
Tension also gripped the Lucknow campus where students sat on a dharna to 
register their protest.
Police in riot gear had been deployed in and around the varsity campus and 
before the Vice-Chancellor's residence to prevent any untoward incident, 
police sources said.

http://cities.expressindia.com/local-news/fullstory.php?newsid=255281

Students protest ban on polls *Allahabad: Roadways bus torched *Ballia: Two 
Roadways buses pelted with stones, two government jeeps torched *Lucknow: 
Students hold up traffic, put up road blockades *Varanasi: Students raise 
anti-government slogans Express News Service
Lucknow, September 08: A day after the Uttar Pradesh government banned all 
students' union polls, students in the Ballia, Allahabad, Varanasi and 
Lucknow districts carried out a series of protests on Saturday.
In Ballia, angry students barged into the office of the Excise department 
and the chief medical officer and torched two government jeeps. Students of 
various degree colleges also pelted stones at two Roadways buses and roughed 
up the drivers.
As many as 106 students were detained at different police stations in Ballia 
for 'indulging in criminal activity'. Educational institutions have been 
closed for three days in the district.
In Allahabad too, angry students torched a Roadways bus near the Medical 
College under George Town police circle. According to reports, around 3 in 
the afternoon three unidentified students stopped a Roadways bus, which was 
on its way to a workshop, and set it ablaze. Earlier, students of the 
Kulhaskar Ashram Degree College had taken out a silent procession. The 
police have detained six students.
In Varanasi, agitated students protested outside the Kashi Vidhya Peeth and 
the Harish Chandra Degree College, raising slogans against the government. 
29 students have been detained.
In Lucknow, students observed a "Black Day" to protest against the ban. 
University students wore black bands and shouted anti-Mayawati government 
slogans.
Agitated LU students also burnt an effigy of the CM. Students also scuffled 
with university employees when they tried to record a video of the students' 
demonstration.
Students of various LU affiliated colleges took to the streets. Students of 
the Vidyant, Dayanand Anglo Vedic, Kalicharan and Kanya Kubja Vocational 
colleges disrupted traffic by blocking roads.
Members of the Samajwadi Party's student wing - Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha - 
supported LU students and threatened to intensify their agitation.
"We will carry out statewide protests if Mayawati does not consider our 
demand," said Sunil Yadav, Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha state president. He said 
that on September 10, activists would carry out statewide protests.

http://newspostindia.com/report-14337

Parents Welcome Ban On Students' Union Elections
Monday 10th of September 2007 Even as students went on rampage and resorted 
to arson in several parts of the state to mark their protest against the 
Uttar Pradesh government's ban on students' union elections, serious 
students and a large number of parents welcomed the decision.

Meanwhile, taking serious note of the protests that culminated into tearing 
and defacing of her posters and hoardings that dot the skyline all over the 
state, Chief Minister Mayawati has ordered a crackdown on protestors.

'I will not allow lawlessness and vandalism on the university and college 
campuses. Those indulging in violence will be dealt with severely,' she 
declared in an official statement.

What has come as a shot in her arm was the opposition to unions by a large 
chunk of students, who consider unions a 'major source of nuisance on the 
campuses'. However, owing to the fear of the muscle-power of students' union 
leaders, rarely is anyone willing to go on record.

'What a relief it is going to be sans unions on the campus', remarked a 
20-year-old undergraduate student of Lucknow University.

'At least it will keep alive the academic environment that the present vice 
chancellor R.P. Singh had really taken pains to restore after years,' a 
student of M.Sc. (Physics) told IANS on condition of anonymity.

'I was reluctant to even think of seeking admission in Lucknow University 
essentially because of the badly vitiated campus atmosphere but sadly I 
failed to get admission elsewhere so I had no option,' said Sandeep Rastogi, 
a post-graduate studentin humanities.

Ashish Pandey was yet another student who dared to condemn the students' 
unions openly. 'All the union leaders are interested in is to get the votes 
of common students to win elections which do no good to those who join 
universities and colleges to pursue academics,' said the research scholar.

On being contacted, several parents too welcomed Mayawati's move to ban 
union elections in colleges and universities. 'Nothing could have been 
better than banning unions in universities and colleges that have turned 
into nurseries of vandalism and politics,' said V.K. Yadav, the father of a 
Lucknow University student.

Santosh Sharma, whose son has just joined a well known local college, said: 
'Mayawati has kept her word about bringing an end to the goondagardi let 
lose during the previous regime under Mulayam Singh Yadav who was largely 
responsible for encouraging lawlessness on the campuses.'

A large number of Lucknow University teachers too were in favour of the ban. 
'The ban is being opposed only by those who have vested political interests. 
The present vice chancellor had to really fight it out to restore an 
academic environment on the campus and the ban on union elections will help 
to establish a real semblance of order,' observed Nishi Pandey, a professor 
of English and member of the university's proctorial board. She claimed that 
most teachers had welcomed the government's decision.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/LU_to_expel_agitating_students/articleshow/2354078.cms

LU to expel agitating students
10 Sep 2007, 0542 hrs IST,TNN

LUCKNOW: Even as a few students on Sunday evening took out a candlelight 
procession in protest against the ban on students' union elections, the 
Lucknow University authorities geared up to take strict action, including 
expulsion, against student leaders who led Saturday's protests.

As many as 23 students have been identified, who led the mob which tried to 
create disturbance on the campus. An FIR has already been lodged against 
these students. They might now face expulsion from the university, sources 
said.

Student protesters, however, argued that they only took part in peaceful 
protests against chief minister's diktat which is also against Supreme 
Court's order directing universities to hold students' union elections as 
per Lyngdoh committee recommendations.

The students named in the FIR are: Tarun Chandra Patel, Maan Singh, Mohammed 
Danish, Shoab Siddiqui, Digvijay Singh, Awdhesh Kumar Verma, Sanjay Singh, 
Shahi Bhushan Singh, Anshul Yadav, Nihal Singh, Ravindra Singh Yadav, Ashish 
Dixit, Atul Singh, Ajit Yadav, Rajesh Yadav, Awdesh Verma, Kayant Tiwari, 
Manoj Singh, Vinod Tiwari, Ashutosh Tiwari, Raja Bhaiyya, Ashish Singh and 
Vinay Shukla.

The list surprised many as it contained name of Tarun Chandra Patel who is 
known for "constructive student politics" on the campus. The list also 
includes names of students 'planted' in the university by student leaders 
who were expelled in January this year. Through these 'implants', the 
expelled student leaders were planning to gain foothold in the union 
politics.

Meanwhile, heavy police force was deployed on the campus. On the directions 
of vice-chancellor Prof RP Singh, university proctor issued Instructions to 
ensure academic environment and peace on the campus. All students have been 
instructed to carry their identity card or fee receipt as a proof of being a 
student. They must produce it on demand otherwise they would be forced to 
leave the campus.

Besides, anyone trying to disrupt the academic work would be taken to task 
and could also face expulsion. Suitable police action would be taken against 
outsiders found loitering on the campus without any work.

No organisation, student leaders or any group of persons would be allowed to 
indulge in slogan shouting, taking out a procession or making provocative 
speeches. Strict disciplinary action would be taken against any such person.

Students of science should enter the campus from Gate No. 3 and 4; education 
and arts' students may enter from Bhaurao Deoras or Gate No. 2; commerce, 
social work and MBA students or students whose department is close to MBA/PG 
Block should enter through MBA gate or PG Block Gate.

All teachers and employees would enter the campus after parking their 
vehicles at the stands at Gate No 2 or 4.

Students have been advised against crowding on the campus. Besides, they 
should not indulge in a behaviour which violates the good conduct or may 
fall under the definition of ragging. Any such activity would invite strict 
disciplinary action.

Students have been advised to ensure peaceful environment on the campus.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/Stir_against_students_polls_ban_/articleshow/2403287.cms

Stir against students' polls ban
26 Sep 2007, 0247 hrs IST,TNN
LUCKNOW: The Samajwadi Party, on Tuesday, held a statewide demonstration 
against the ban on students union polls and also other anti-democratic 
policies being pursued by the Mayawati government.

The demonstrators were led by senior party leaders in all the districts. 
Later, a memorandum was handed over by each of them to the respective 
district magistrate to be forwarded to the President.

In Lucknow, the SP student leaders and workers assembled at the city office 
from where they proceeded to the collectorate. The rains played a spoilt 
sport as a result of which not many activits came to the spot. They were led 
by Rajya Sabha member, Bhagwati Singh.

Addressing the workers, Singh slammed the present government for pursuing 
anti-people policies and for putting a ban on the students union elections. 
He said these elections were a stepping stone for those who intended to make 
politics their career. It proved to be a learning school for many full time 
politicians. Despite this the government chose to ban it.

Singh also referred to the scraping of unemployment allowance by the present 
dispensation as also the lawlessness prevailing in the state. He said 
'goonda raj' has gained ascendancy and anti-social elements are roaming 
freely. A memorandum was handed by him to be forwarded to the president.

Among the demands mentioned in the memorandum was lifting the ban on 
students elections, paying of arrears to the cane growers, stopping the sale 
of sugar mills, repealing of VAT, taking back the cases filed against the SP 
workers, giving back employment to such police and PAC constables whose 
services had been annulled by the present government.

Later addressing a joint press conference, state president, Ram Sharan Das 
and Bhagwati Singh said the demonstrations were a success all over the 
state. They claimed that SP workers had turned up in large numbers in all 
the districts. The demonstrators were led by Ram Gopal Yadav and Shivpal 
Yadav in Etawah, Azam Khan in Rampur, Mata Prasad in Basti, Akhilesh Yadav 
in Kannauj, Ashok Bajpai in Kanpur, Naresh Agarwal in Hardoi, Brij Bhushan 
Tewari in Varanasi, Rewati Raman Singh in Allahabad etc.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/Union_poll_ban_protest_fizzles_out/articleshow/2360336.cms

Union poll ban protest fizzles out
12 Sep 2007, 0148 hrs IST,TNN

LUCKNOW: The agitation launched by the Samajwadi Party Chhatra Sabha (SPCS) 
to protest against the ban on students union has fizzled out in the city 
with most of the university and degree colleges' student leaders behind bars 
presently. Not a single protest, barring one by the students of Shia 
College, was reported from the city on Tuesday.

While the police crackdown landed many student leaders in jail, the 
remaining have gone underground. Some of the jailed student leaders were 
reported to have gone on hunger strike to protest police "high-handedness" 
and "Maya government's assault on democracy".

SPCS leaders said that they were lying low and regrouping for a fresh 
movement.

However, contrary to their claims, common student was least in the 
agitation.

Lucknow University campus was under police siege for the third consecutive 
day but there were no protests at all.
Similar reports were received from other degree colleges having students 
union in the city.

However, few SPCS activists said to be students of Shia Degree College burnt 
effigy of the chief minister at Victoria Stree

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14533068

SP workers stage protest against BSP in Etah Wednesday, 26 September , 2007, 
01:05
Etah: A large number of Samajwadi Party (SP) workers today staged a protest 
here against the policies of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government in the 
state.
They protested the BSP's government decision to ban student elections in the 
state. Protestors also alleged that the BSP government has foisted fake 
criminal cases against SP workers. SP district president S Singh alleged 
that there was no law and order in Etah.
"People live under constant fear of loot, murder, rape, robbery and 
kidnappings," said Singh.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/18/stories/2007091850190100.htm

AMU closed after murder, violence
Special Correspondent
ALIGARH / LUCKNOW: Aligarh Muslim University has been closed indefinitely 
following violence and arson on the campus in Aligarh on Sunday night in 
protest against the murder of a B.Sc. II Year student, Mazhar Naeem.
All the students staying in the university's hostels have been ordered by 
the authorities to vacate the premises within two days.
The young victim belonged to Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh. He was 
killed by unidentified persons with a sharp-edged weapon when he was 
returning to the hostel after "taravih" prayers (answered during the month 
of Ramzan) in a local mosque around 10-45 p.m. on Sunday.
More forces deployed
A spokesman of the State Home Department said in Lucknow on Monday that the 
Special Task Force of the U.P. Police has been asked to investigate the 
killing.
Additional police force has been deployed on the AMU campus, the spokesman 
added. No arrests have been made so far.
Mazhar Naeem had stopped at a restaurant, Café D'Fus, located near Aftab 
Hall on the campus, after finishing his prayers when he was murdered. He was 
hit in the head with a huge knife. He collapsed and died on the spot. He was 
an inmate of Mumtaz Hostel in Aftab Hall.
Students returning after the "taravih" prayers took the body to the 
residence of Vice-Chancellor P. K. Abdul Azis. As he was not available, the 
students went on the rampage. They burnt the Vice-Chancellor's lodge, the 
Teachers' Association Staff Club and the Proctor's Office.
The cause of the murder is not known but the Students' Union reportedly has 
not ruled out the possibility of a conspiracy to vitiate the atmosphere in 
the university. Aligarh is among the sensitive towns in Uttar Pradesh.
Third incident
This is the third such incident to have rocked the AMU since April this 
year. On the night of April 7, a B.Com. student, Mulla Mohammad Sabit Ali, 
was shot dead by unknown assailants on the campus. He belonged to Orissa.
This was followed by the murder of a B.Tech. final year student, Kausar 
Salig, on April 25. He was from Bihar.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lucknow/Students_protest_fee_hike/articleshow/2367098.cms

Students protest fee hike
14 Sep 2007, 0149 hrs IST,TNN
LUCKNOW: Students of the department of journalism and mass communication on 
Thursday protested against the fee hike by the Lucknow University.

They said that the increased fee structure should not be implemented in the 
middle of the session.
Majority students were of MA semester III.

They argued that fee hike should be charged from the first year students and 
not from those who had taken admissions in the previous session.

University had recently increased the fee of these students by Rs 5,000 per 
annum. Earlier, the fee was around Rs 17,000 to 18,000.

University authorities, however, rejected the demand saying that fee hike 
has been implemented across all the courses in the university.

"We cannot give exemption to students of a particular course when all the 
students in various courses have been asked to pay the hiked fee," said 
senior university officers.