On September 1, 2025, police clashed with students at Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University during a protest regarding the accreditation of law courses.

Organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), students protested against the imposition of heavy fines, illegal fee collection, and academic irregularities. During the protest, students clashed verbally with university officials and climbed the main university gates. When students sought a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, the administration deployed police forces, who used batons to disperse the crowd.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/abvp-demands-strict-action-against-srmu-for-running-unrecognised-programmes-2783255-2025-09-07
https://www.freepressjournal.in/uttar-pradesh/up-news-abvp-led-student-protest-erupts-at-shri-ramswaroop-memorial-university-over-fees-affiliation-issues-in-lucknow
https://organiser.org/2025/09/01/313607/bharat/abvp-karyakartas-baton-charged-at-srmu-during-protest-over-disputed-law-degree-recognition-arbitrary-fees/