The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has intensified its protest in Uttar Pradesh, giving the Yogi Adityanath–led government 48 hours to take action against what it calls the “education mafia.” The agitation began at Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial University in Barabanki, where students launched a protest demanding recognition of the university’s LLB program and reinstatement of suspended ABVP members.

The situation escalated after a police lathi charge on the students, leaving several injured. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and fueled larger questions over the governance of private universities and recognition of professional courses.

Following the clash, ABVP National Minister Ankit Shukla addressed a press conference in Lucknow. He directly questioned Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s commitment to eliminating mafias from the state.

“CM Yogi always says he will wipe out the mafia. Then when will the education mafia be destroyed? The time has come to act against those institutions that play with the future of students,” Shukla said.

He revealed that the Bar Council of India (BCI) had only issued the allotment letter to the university on September 3, 2025, raising questions about why the institution was allowed to run an LLB course since 2022 without recognition. “If recognition was already granted, then why was the allotment letter sent so late? The university administration must be investigated, and the losses suffered by students this year must be addressed,” he added.

Shukla further stated that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an inquiry by the Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya. However, the ABVP has demanded swift accountability, insisting that those responsible should be identified and jailed within 48 hours.

The student organization also demanded that the university be closed until all irregularities are resolved. “Students’ careers are being jeopardized. This is not just negligence—it is a betrayal of trust,” said Shukla.

The ABVP accused the police of excessive force, alleging that the lathi charge was ordered immediately after the arrival of the Circle Officer (CO). They demanded to know on whose orders the action was taken. Several injured students were hospitalized, further intensifying the anger among protesters.

Today, ABVP workers across Uttar Pradesh have planned demonstrations at district headquarters, where they will submit memorandums to the Chief Minister demanding strict action.

The controversy deepened after Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar described the protesting students as “ABVP goons” and defended the police action. His comments have sparked backlash, with ABVP activists protesting outside his residence, raising slogans and demanding an apology.

The stand-off between the student body and the state government has now taken a political turn, with opposition parties also beginning to weigh in.

The unrest began when students alleged that Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial University was running an LLB program without BCI recognition since 2022. Students claim their academic futures are at stake as degrees from an unrecognized course may hold no legal value.

When their concerns were not addressed, the students began a sit-in protest. The subsequent lathi charge on protesting students turned the issue into a state-wide controversy.

This incident raises a broader issue—how educational institutions are regulated and monitored in Uttar Pradesh and across India. Running professional courses without proper recognition directly affects students’ futures, yet such practices often go unchecked until students themselves raise the alarm.

The ABVP’s ultimatum has placed the Yogi government in a politically sensitive position. If swift action is not taken within 48 hours, the matter could escalate into larger student movements across the state.