Clash Erupts at Lucknow University During Rohit Vemula Memorial March

Lucknow, January 17, 2026: A memorial march in honor of late student Rohit Vemula at Lucknow University turned chaotic on Saturday as student groups BAPSA and ABVP clashed on campus. The confrontation, which began as verbal arguments, quickly escalated into physical altercations.

March Turns Tense
BAPSA (Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association) organized the march near the Ambedkar statue, with students chanting slogans such as, “Rohit, we are ashamed; your killers are still alive.” The demonstration, initially peaceful, soon triggered a confrontation with members of the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad), leading to a tense standoff. Police personnel on site intervened to prevent further escalation.

BAPSA’s Allegations
In a statement following the incident, BAPSA claimed their march was completely peaceful, but ABVP and RSS-affiliated individuals attacked the students. BAPSA alleged attempts were made to stop the procession and even threatened the lives of the participants. According to the group, one student sustained serious injuries, but the march continued with slogans of “Jai Bhim.”

ABVP Complaint Filed
In response, ABVP-affiliated research student Radheshyam Pandey filed a complaint at Hasanganj police station against BAPSA. The complaint accused BAPSA of conducting an unauthorized march, raising provocative slogans, and targeting individuals with threats and physical attacks. Pandey claimed he was singled out with slogans promoting caste-based rhetoric, and his life was endangered during the incident.

Police Investigation Underway
Police officials confirmed that they are investigating the incident based on complaints from both sides. The probe will determine the facts and guide further legal action. Approximately 20 BAPSA members, including President Shikhar Das, are named in the ABVP complaint. Authorities said police intervention helped stabilize the situation, though minor injuries and property disruptions occurred during the clash.