Once revered as a beacon of academic excellence, the University of Lucknow has experienced profound changes mirroring the evolving social and political landscape of Uttar Pradesh. Established in 1921, this historic institution has stood witness to waves of intellectual growth, turbulent student politics, and determined efforts at rejuvenation. In light of sweeping reforms and remarkable leadership, Lucknow University has transformed from periods of unrest and decline to reclaim its place as a center of learning and leadership. In candid conversations, Prof Nishi Pandey, Professor of Eminence, and Prof Rakesh Chandra, Former Dean of Students Welfare and Dean Academics, recount their journeys through the tumultuous decades, offering rare insights into the realities, challenges, and eventual renaissance of the university. Their personal stories shed light on the University’s darkest chapters—as it battled criminal influences and political machinations—and its inspiring resurgence as a model for higher education in India today.
Prof Nishi Pandey
“Established in 1921, University of Lucknow grew with the support of the Taluqdars and the government gaining merit as a place for learning, boasting a long list of eminent teachers and illustrious alumni. A major downfall happened between 1981 to 2004 due to the emergence of violent and criminal politics in the state which deeply impacted the state capital’s flagship university,” shares Prof Nishi Pandey. She adds, “Highly volatile atmosphere and violent incidents became the norm in the University campus. By 1998 the only stories that newspapers carried were of strikes, campus killings of student leaders, violent student clashes and harassment of girl students. Student attendance in classes was dismally low and the campus was dotted with PAC trucks/tents and police vehicles parked everywhere.”Interestingly, Nishi entered the portals of the University in 1979 as a post graduate student and retired as a faculty member from the Department of English in 2022. “For a young graduate, my first day in the University was a nightmare. Motorcycle borne, muscle flexing crypto criminal elements gathered in large groups in front of virtually every single building, blocking the roads which had to be crossed. Wolf whistles, comments and teasing, we girls had to ignore and suffer as any protest by us or from a classmate would be dealt with violence and greater humiliation. We all learnt to live with it,” shares Nishi, adding, “Later, the University appointed me on many administrative positions and then began my face to face with the rowdies on the campus, gun toting student leaders, their so called ‘chelas’ and political bigwigs.” In 2005, Prof RP Singh, an internationally awarded IIT Professor, fearless, idealistic and a strong believer of academics and discipline hit the ground running as Vice Chancellor. A goal was set to stop misuse of studentship, copying in examinations, restoration of classroom teaching, decriminalizing the University, removing unauthorized and illegal occupation of hostels and university property and making the University self-reliant. Addressing student violence 300 crypto criminal leaders (CCL) participating in violent and illegal acts were expelled in December, 2005. The Lucknow University became the first to implement the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations in student elections barring students older than 28, with less than 75% attendance and criminal record. Amidst pressure to revert the decision and a life threat to the change strategies a bold decision to shut down the University was taken by the VC. TOI coverage got the administration support from public, students and intervention of the judiciary helped remove anarchy from the campus, illegal occupants were removed from hostels and student election were put on hold by the court.” She further says, “From 2008 onwards new Vice Chancellors took forward the change, focusing on quality of teaching and research and employability of students. The University became the first in the country to implement the NEP and now has a NAAC A ++ grade. Today a deep peace and satisfaction fill me that I could contribute to the transformation and restoration of this temple of learning.”
Prof Rakesh Chandra
Prof Rakesh Chandra also recounts his days at the Lucknow University. Chandra, among the more popular faculties of LU recounts, “When I joined the university in the late 70s, it was an institution with a reputation for having extremely distinguished professors in Anthropology, Political Science, Ancient Indian History, Philosophy, English, Botany, Zoology, Geology, and Law, to name a few. Schooled in a Convent, the university did come as a rather indisciplined place. Though many departments had much calm, the students came from different faculties, and despite having faculty of international repute, Law had the most unruly folklore. The girl students walked in and out with much caution, if not trepidation. Interestingly, it was when I started my career as a teacher in 1983, soon after I completed my master’s, that I really confronted the beast called student politics.”He adds, “The 80s and 90s saw a strange environment in the University of Lucknow. Notwithstanding good research and teaching, the student menace stoked by state power led to rampant cheating, wrong admissions, and considerable violence. The boys’ hostels had occupancy of students for years, much beyond their enrollment, and the rural machismo of gangs became a badge of honour. The admission processes were rendered so flexible, as to allow admission even one day before the final examination. There were forged signatures and false identity cards, supposed to be politics cards and mark sheets, without any ideological mooring. Many of us remember how the examination invigilation duty was an event. Students found innovative ways to cheat. The walls of classrooms were etched with formulas, the desks and benches were carved like Egyptian tablets, long scrolls with miniature writing were stuffed in every corner of the windows and into the clothes of examinees. The flying squad often humiliated the innocent and turned a blind eye to the guilty. Copies were replaced during exams; once, when I complained, I was instructed by the controller to “deal with fact.” The worst times were student elections. Political parties found it an opportunity to garner support for themselves. Boys got support in cash and kind from those in power, as was reported by many. The waiters and cooks in hostels were beaten up and there were regular gang wars among residents of different hostels.”The University of Lucknow was badly shaken, and most parents decided to send their wards to other universities or colleges if they could,” recalls Chandra. “Lucknow, being the state capital, also saw much vigilantism, and every wrong in the university did find space in the media. Interestingly, the Lyngdoh Committee to recommend reforms in university elections had its north India consultations in Lucknow, which I had a chance to coordinate. The University of Lucknow got its saviour in the form of an international scientist, the Flory-winning RP Singh, with formidable courage. The student lobby demanded elections, and he said he would allow it only under the court guidelines of the Lyngdoh Committee. All hell broke loose. Supported by state power, there was a huge ruckus on campus.”Chandra recounts how he, alongwith a few other faculy members, restored order on campus. “The Vice-Chancellor constituted a highly energized team with Professor Nishi Pandey, Prof Mangla Dixit, Prof AN Singh, Prof DNNS Yadav, and I was part of the documenting and drafting response team. Prof Nishi Pandey truly led from the front and brought all her resources to salvage the institution, now under threat. The media was not entirely helpful, but Times of India stood solidly by the university administration, which was sadly committed to credibility. The university had to be closed several times, but it was worth it to save its academic standing.” “I remember, like many of our colleagues, the threats we received when we stopped the cheating by the students. Boys in groups would stop us on roads and walk up to our homes with menacing ‘Guruji Pranam’. This had to stop and, fortunately, it did with some well-drafted legal petitions and the support of the wise judiciary. The university was able to have its way, and we put a stop to union elections till further orders,” he adds.And finally, the energy of youth was channeled into more constructive avenues — sports, moot courts, cultural activities, and creative expression. “The more academic-minded were brought into important positions. More academic activities were encouraged, libraries and museums renovated, and gradually the university moved toward being a healed institution where brilliant, inclusive engagement was encouraged. The University of Lucknow today can boast that so many of our students and teachers are leading — from space to the geological depths — in research and innovation,” shares Prof Rakesh Chandra, adding, “The media is important, and we do remember how this university was rounded by irresponsible reporting. As the fourth pillar of democracy, it is a sobering thought that we must remember we cannot fail our children’s future. We fondly acknowledge the role of Times of India for its unflinching support to the great university, which moved from being dominated by criminal ruffians to enlightened leadership.”
