Lucknow students block road over school woes, minister stuck in traffic steps in

On Friday morning, over a hundred students at Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Lucknow blocked the busy Mohan Road, protesting various issues including a shortage of teachers. The protest, which featured students from the residential boys' facility, persisted despite attempts by a police team to clear the road. The students, clad in school uniforms, gathered across the road, some sitting on it while others stood and raised slogans, causing significant traffic congestion.

The students from the Uttar Pradesh Welfare Department-run institution demanded more teachers, better mess facilities, and improved coaching programs. They maintained that their protest was in pursuit of better academic standards, despite assurances from officials that the institution's studies were progressing well. The standoff concluded unexpectedly when UP Welfare Department Minister Asim Arun, whose vehicle was caught in the traffic, intervened.

Upon seeing the students, Minister Arun approached them, urging them to lift the blockade and meet him at the campus for a proper discussion.

After listening to their grievances for nearly two hours, Minister Arun assured the students that their concerns would be addressed promptly. He clarified that their studies were proceeding well, and promised to improve the coaching program. Additionally, the minister directed that teachers and staff should reside within the campus, which already had both a staff hostel and transit hostels. The protest lasted approximately 15 minutes before the minister's intervention.