HNLU students have been protesting against the administration since August 27 (Photo credit - Student Bar Association-HNLU)

On the night of August 27, students of the Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) in Raipur, Chattisgarh assembled outside their college and began a protest that sees no signs of ending. Hours earlier that same day, the Chattisgarh High Court had ruled that an extension granted to university vice-chancellor Sukh Pal was illegal.

Following the high court ruling, students assembled outside their college demanding V-C Pal's removal. They also started trending the hashtag #HNLUKiAzaadi on Twitter.

Since then, the protest has ballooned into a major agitation over the faculty's alleged behaviour and other demands.

Here is how the student protest at HNLU has unfolded over the last few days

On August 27, 2018, the Chattisgarh High Court ruled that the extension of the tenure of the university's vice-chancellor Sukh Pal was illegal.

The HNLU Student Body Association found out that Pal was planning an appeal against the order. Opposing the appeal, the student body protested and demanded that Pal be immediately removed from his post.

Students assembled outside the college premises overnight on August 27, demanding VC Pal's resignation.

On Day 3 of the protest, the administration gave in to the demands and ousted Pal from his post. Ravi Shankar Sharma, the principal secretary of the Chattisgarh government, was appointed as the interim vice-chancellor.

Meanwhile, allegations surfaced against the university's hostel wardens. Students claimed that faculty members were being appointed as wardens. The wardens, are thus, biased, the students alleged.

Some allegations focussed on wardens of the women's hostel. Students alleged that wardens of the girls' hostels were guilty of moral policing and commented on the female students' clothes and conduct.

The students spoke about various instances where female students were allegedly harrased by their hostel wardens.

Female students protested outside their hostel post their curfew time. Eventually, the women were also joined by their male co-students.

The student bar association has come up with a list of 14 demands including the complete removal of curfew time, appointment of independent wardens and putting in place a mechanism for student feedback.

The students of Nalsar University of Law, National Law School of India (NLSIU), National Law Institute Bhopal, National Law University Jaipur have issued a statement expressing solidarity with the protesting HNLU students and have extended their support.

The students' body will be meeting the interim vice-chancellor on September 5, where they are expected to take the discussions further.