Lucknow University bars 6 students amid protests against fencing of monument where namaz was offered

Lucknow University has barred six students from the campus after days of protests by two groups against the fencing of the Lal Baradari monument and allegations that namaz was being offered near the site, reported The Indian Express on Tuesday. Seven students were also issued show-cause notices.

Aryan Mishra, the vice president of the National Students’ Union of India’s Uttar Pradesh unit, claimed that the university fenced the structure on Saturday, according to The Telegraph.

The National Students’ Union of India is the Congress’ student wing.

A group of unidentified students were quoted as saying by The Indian Express that a hall inside the structure was used as a mosque. They alleged that the structure was fenced to stop students and residents of the area from offering namaz during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, which began on February 18.

On Sunday, a group of Muslim students offered namaz near the structure, with members of the National Students’ Union of India protecting them, said Mishra.

The authorities at the university claimed on Monday that the fencing was erected as a safety measure because the structure is in a dilapidated condition, reported The Indian Express. They also denied claims by students that a hall inside Lal Baradari had been used as a mosque.

However, on Tuesday, tensions escalated on campus after members of the Akhil...

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