A violent mob ransacked the Vice-Chancellor’s office in Lucknow, directing their rage at Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission Vice-President Aparna Yadav during a high-stakes campus visit. The afternoon assault left the office in shambles—broken furniture, shattered glass, and scattered files—prompting a full security lockdown.
The trigger? Simmering discontent over handling of sexual harassment cases at the university. Yadav’s arrival, intended to review complaints and assure action, backfired spectacularly as hundreds of protesters overwhelmed entry points. Chants of ‘go back’ echoed as they surged inside, clashing briefly with guards before unleashing destruction.
Quick police intervention prevented worse injuries, though several sustained minor hurts. Yadav, safely evacuated, later posted on social media slamming the ‘planned anarchy’ and reaffirming her commitment to victim justice. Campus life ground to a halt, with classes suspended and outsiders barred.
This isn’t isolated; it reflects broader unrest in UP’s higher education sector, where political appointees clash with student activism. Experts warn such incidents erode institutional trust and politicize genuine issues like women’s safety. The state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry, while opposition parties decry ‘Yogi family’ overreach.
With elections looming, the vandalism could fuel narratives on both sides. Protesters demand impartial probes, not VIP interventions. As cleanup begins, Lucknow watches warily for aftershocks in this powder-keg confrontation between power and protest.