SRMU Law Degree Row: ABVP Protest Turns Violent, Govt Orders Probe into Recognition Crisis.
Lucknow, September 2, 2025 – A major controversy has erupted at Shri Ram Swarup Memorial University (SRMU), Barabanki, after a student protest led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) turned violent, prompting police lathi-charge and drawing the direct intervention of the Uttar Pradesh government. The heart of the issue lies in allegations that SRMU’s law degrees lack recognition from the Bar Council of India (BCI) since 2022, raising grave concerns about the future of hundreds of students.
Why the Protest Began?
The controversy first erupted when students discovered that SRMU’s law degrees allegedly lacked proper recognition from the Bar Council of India (BCI). According to students, despite assurances from the university, doubts over the validity of their degrees have put their careers in jeopardy.
How the Protest Escalated.
On Monday (September 1, 2025), hundreds of ABVP activists and students gathered peacefully inside the SRMU campus to press these demands. The protest remained calm until a delegation of students attempted to meet Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vikas Mishra.
At this point, police allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge, injuring several students and sparking outrage among protestors. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media show students being chased and beaten, with chants of “Nyay do, degree do!” (Give us justice, give us recognition for our degrees) echoing across the campus.
ABVP’s Awadh State Secretary, Pushpendra Bajpai, condemned the action, declaring:
“This protest will continue until the Vice-Chancellor himself comes forward, the expelled students are reinstated with dignity, and clarity is provided regarding BCI recognition.”
Government intervention :-
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed strong displeasure over the police action on protesting students. In a swift move, the Circle Officer (CO) who oversaw the protest management was immediately removed from duty. The Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya was instructed to verify the recognition status of SRMU’s law degrees and submit a detailed report the same evening. Simultaneously, the Inspector General (IG) of Ayodhya Range was directed to conduct a separate inquiry into the lathi-charge incident. The government’s prompt intervention highlights the seriousness with which it is treating both the academic concerns of the students and the allegations of excessive force by the police.
Legal Standing: BCI Recognition and High Court Precedent
The students’ apprehensions stand on firm legal ground. They draw strength from the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s ruling in Vyom Garg & Others v. State of Madhya Pradesh , which set out strict compliance norms for law universities. The Court directed that every institution must update its Bar Council of India (BCI) recognition status on the official portal by March 31 each year. In case recognition is not secured, universities are duty-bound to disclose upfront that the degree will be valid only for academic purposes and not for enrollment as an advocate. Crucially, the judgment went a step further—holding that any institution admitting students without valid BCI recognition could even attract criminal liability.
Students’ Demands in Brief
1. Recognition of SRMU’s law courses by the Bar Council of India.
2. Reinstatement of expelled students (Adarsh Pandey & Abhay Ram Tripathi).
3. Withdrawal of arbitrary fines for late fees.
4. Assurance of student rights, including the freedom to organize events like the Tiranga Yatra.
What's next?
For now, students remain in uncertainty. Many fear their five years of hard work may go to waste if recognition is denied. The incident has sparked a wider debate on the regulation of private universities and the role of professional councils like BCI in ensuring accountability.
This development is more than just a campus issue — it is a reminder of how academic recognition and students’ rights are intertwined. Keep following verified legal news platforms for continuous updates on SRMU’s recognition status, the inquiry reports ordered by CM Yogi Adityanath, and broader reforms in legal education.
Post a Comment