Demonstrators Block Railway Track; Vande Bharat Train Delayed by Nearly an Hour
Lucknow: Tension gripped the Charbagh railway station area in Lucknow after Pallavi Patel led a massive protest demanding the immediate implementation of the UGC Equity Regulations 2026.
The protest, organised by Apna Dal Kamerawadi along with several social, student, and youth organisations, turned intense when demonstrators allegedly broke through barricades near the reservation centre and moved onto the railway tracks, resulting in a major disruption to rail traffic.
According to reports, thousands of supporters gathered at Charbagh railway station around noon under the leadership of Dr Pallavi Patel. Protesters raised slogans such as “Implement UGC Equity Regulations 2026,” “Education and dignity for all,” and “Stop oppression of deprived communities in educational institutions,” while carrying placards and banners.
As police attempted to stop the procession through barricading, agitated protesters entered the railway tracks and staged a rail blockade. The agitation led to the Delhi-Ayodhya Vande Bharat Express being halted at the outer signal for nearly an hour, disrupting train movement and passenger traffic in the area.
Eyewitnesses said heated arguments and confrontations continued between police personnel and protesters during the demonstration. Railway and police officials reportedly persuaded Dr Pallavi Patel, who had climbed onto the train engine during the protest, to step down after prolonged negotiations.
Police later detained Dr Pallavi Patel along with a large number of supporters participating in the agitation.
Addressing the gathering during the protest, Pallavi Patel said the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 were introduced in line with Supreme Court directives to address rising incidents of discrimination and harassment in higher educational institutions based on caste, gender, religion, and disability.
She alleged that instead of discussing the regulations on factual and constitutional grounds, the issue had been dragged into legal disputes through “sponsored opposition and misleading narratives,” delaying measures aimed at ensuring equality in universities.
The Sirathu MLA accused the BJP government of pursuing divisive politics and claimed that marginalised communities, including SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities, continue to face systemic discrimination. She said issues concerning education, healthcare, and livelihood were being sidelined through attempts to create social divisions.
Referring to cases such as Rohith Vemula, Darshan Solanki, and Payal Tadvi, Patel said the proposed regulations were intended to prevent discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in educational institutions. She maintained that the regulations were not targeted against any particular social group, but were designed to curb exploitation and institutional injustice.
Calling the current situation “deeply unjust,” Pallavi Patel said social justice could now only be achieved through public struggle and mass movements. She vowed to continue the fight “till the last breath” for the implementation of the UGC Equity Regulations 2026.
