Prayagraj: A tense situation prevailed at the library gate of Allahabad University’s Arts campus on Wednesday evening after teachers were reportedly locked inside the campus by members of the students’ organisation Disha, who have been protesting against the alleged assault on some of their members during Tuesday’s clash on the premises.The gate was opened late in the evening after a delegation of teachers met the protesting students and both sides agreed to hold discussions on Aug 6.Earlier in the day, more than 300 teachers from different faculties attended a meeting at the Department of Medieval and Modern History. Chaired by Prof AR Siddiqui, the meeting focused on the prolonged disruption of academic activities due to the protests and the repeated blocking of entry and exit points on the campus.Following the meeting, a large number of teachers marched to the library gate and urged the protesters to unlock it. However, the students refused, maintaining that the agitation would continue until their demands were met. Some protesters climbed onto the gate, leading to a heated exchange between the two sides.Faculty members claimed that the gates had frequently been locked over the past three weeks, causing inconvenience to teachers, students and employees.“It has become extremely difficult for us to return home after classes. Many teachers have stopped bringing their cars to the campus and switched to two-wheelers or hired transport services because they fear getting stranded,” a faculty member said.In a resolution passed during the meeting, the teachers strongly criticised what they described as attempts by a small group of protesters and “outsiders with vested interests” to disrupt normal academic life. They alleged that abusive language had been used against members of the university administration, including Vice-Chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava, officials of the proctorial board and security personnel.The teachers also expressed concern over social media posts which, they claimed, were aimed at tarnishing the institution’s image. They stressed that the university’s more than 20,000 students and nearly 400 teachers should not be made to suffer because of the ongoing agitation, and emphasised that uninterrupted academic activities must remain the priority.The faculty members urged the district administration to ensure free movement on the campus and take strict action against anyone attempting to obstruct the university’s functioning.
