Students Protest Lathicharge at Patna University, Demand Union Elections

Patna: A protest against the recent lathicharge at Patna University turned violent as hundreds of students surrounded the Vice Chancellor’s office and campus on Thursday. They raised slogans against the administration, alleging suppression of their voices. The university has been heavily guarded, with police forces deployed to manage the situation.

The agitation stems from a demand for student union elections, which have not been held since 2022. On Wednesday evening, students staged a protest at the university gate, refusing to disperse despite police intervention. This led to a lathicharge, injuring 12 students who were later admitted to PMCH for treatment.

Students have accused the university administration of deliberately delaying elections and stifling dissent. “Our voice is being suppressed. We were lathicharged for raising our demands. Now, we will intensify our protest,” a student leader said.

The last student union elections in November 2022 saw JDU’s Anand Mohan elected as President, with Vikramaditya (Vice President), Sandhya (Secretary), and Ravikant (Treasurer) also representing JDU. ABVP’s Vipul won the General Secretary position. However, no elections have been conducted since, fuelling unrest among students demanding representation.