Watch | RRB NTPC Result: Youth Demands Respectable Jobs, Not Free Rations

On Thursday, January 27, a group of students from Lucknow University attempted to march in protest against the recent police violence in UP's Prayagraj against students who had made allegations of 'anomalies' in the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exam.

A video showing police personnel cracking down on the students in the hostel and taking them into custody had gone viral on social media, which drew heavy criticism against the Adityanath government in the state.

While the gathering of students on Thursday had intended to march from gate no. 1 of Lucknow University to IT College, around one kilometre away, they were surrounded by UP police at gate no. 2 of the university, some 300 m away from where they began their march.

The protesting students have been objecting to the high levels of unemployment which prevail in the state (and even the country as a whole) and the failure of the government to do anything about it, despite countless promises and advertisements, especially in the lead-up to the assembly elections in the state. To properly understand all the issues the students are demonstrating against, journalist Asad Rizvi spoke to the Lucknow University students present at the site.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.