The centenary celebration at Lucknow University saw significant unrest as Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), arrived to attend the event. Student organizations affiliated with the Indian National Congress, particularly the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), organized vigorous protests against Bhagwat's presence. As soon as Bhagwat's convoy entered the university campus, a large number of students raised slogans like 'Go Back Mohan Bhagwat,' showcasing their dissent against the RSS and its ideologies.

The protests escalated quickly, as students attempted to confront the police deployed around the venue. The police responded by taking several students into custody to restore order. Participants in the protest included members of the Youth Congress and NSUI, highlighting a coordinated effort to challenge the RSS's influence in educational institutions. Amidst the chaos, the heavy police presence indicates the tensions surrounding political narratives in academia, particularly those associated with right-wing groups like the RSS.

This incident underscores the ongoing ideological battles between different political factions in India, especially in the context of universities which are often seen as battlegrounds for such exchanges. The protests reflect broader concerns regarding the role of the RSS and its leadership in shaping policies and narratives within educational spaces, raising questions about freedom of expression and political dissent in Indian universities.