The Odisha government has announced that legal proceedings will be initiated against members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) for alleged vandalism during a protest in the capital city.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, addressing the media on Thursday, firmly stated that while the right to protest is protected, destruction of public assets will not be tolerated.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, saw NSUI protesters marching from Jharpada Jail to Master Canteen via Ram Mandir Square. During the rally, several barricades installed by Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to regulate traffic were reportedly damaged.
Mahapatra confirmed that BSCL, in consultation with relevant authorities, would undertake legal measures to address the situation. “No citizen has the right to vandalise government property,” he asserted, stressing the government’s resolve to safeguard public infrastructure.
The protest and subsequent damage have sparked strong reactions, with officials reiterating that civil demonstrations must remain peaceful and lawful.
