Ravenshaw University has carried out a sweeping reshuffle of its entire hostel administration following a heated confrontation between the Chief Warden and Kataka Sadar MLA Prakash Sethi.
Professor Sudarshan Mishra has been removed as Chief Warden. Chemistry Department’s Purnendu Parhi has been appointed in his place. Two new Deputy Chief Wardens — Professor Dipti Raut and Dr. Dwiti Krushna Behera — have also taken charge. Eight wardens and several deputy wardens have been either reassigned or given fresh responsibilities across the hostels. Notably, Deputy Warden Rabiul Ansari has been completely relieved of all hostel duties.
The new line-up includes Dr. Chinmay Mallick (Deputy Warden, Jagannath Hostel), Sitaram Mahapatra and Mohammad Rahimmulla Asraf (West Hostel), Yayati Naik and Raja Kishore Prusti (East Hostel), Dipti Ranjan Maharana and Jitendra Sabar (Lalitgiri Hostel), Senjuti Nandi (Parija Hostel), Manosmita Mahapatra and Madhusmita Raut (Kathajodi Hostel), Binodini Majhi (Mahanadi Ladies’ Hostel), Banajarani Panda (Devi Hostel), Dr. Sanghamitra Behera and Malini Prabha Sethi (Daya Hostel), and Yagyaseni Raut with Ritu Patra (Bhargavi Hostel).
The crisis began with protests by East Hostel students over unresolved issues. During a meeting called to address their grievances, tempers flared between Chief Warden Mishra and MLA Sethi. The Chief Warden walked out midway. Both sides later accused each other of misconduct. The teachers’ association staged a march demanding an apology from the MLA, while all wardens and deputy wardens submitted their resignations. The MLA wrote to the Speaker complaining against the Chief Warden; the teachers’ body demanded the letter be withdrawn.
On Wednesday, the university administration issued a formal notification implementing the complete overhaul. MLA Prakash Sethi had earlier indicated that a change in the Chief Warden and deputies would help resolve the long-running dispute. University authorities appear to have acted on that assessment, hoping the fresh team will restore calm on campus.
