The Ravenshaw University controversy intensified in Cuttack on Saturday after the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a protest against Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Sethi over remarks concerning the university and its faculty members.
The BJD’s Cuttack Sadar unit, along with its student and youth wings, held a demonstration at Nuapada Chhak and demanded an apology from the MLA.
The party also urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene and take appropriate action over the controversy.
BJD demands apology from Prakash Sethi
BJD leaders accused Sethi of making irresponsible remarks and alleged that his conduct had brought disrepute to Cuttack Sadar and Odisha.
The party also questioned the MLA’s reported claim that he was a member of the Ravenshaw University Senate.
Biju Yuva Janata Dal vice-president Bhabani Shankar Dash said Sethi had not provided a clear answer when asked whether students had invited him to the university on the day of the incident.
“When he was asked if the students had called him over on the day of the incident, he was unable to answer that. He only responded by saying, ‘I am the Senate member’,” Dash said.
Dash further claimed that protesting university faculty members had clarified that Sethi was not a Senate member and that the committee had not yet been formed.
The BJD leader urged the Odisha government and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to examine the matter and take appropriate action if any wrongdoing was established.
Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab urges restraint
Amid the political exchange, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab appealed to all sides to avoid prolonging the controversy.
Mahtab said mistakes may have occurred on both sides while attempting to address the issue. He said there was no need to escalate the matter further.
According to Mahtab, regular classes were continuing at Ravenshaw University and the academic environment remained normal.
He also said the university Vice-Chancellor would look into the issue involving wardens who had stepped down from their hostel responsibilities.
“The matter will likely be looked into and resolved by the Vice-Chancellor in the coming days,” Mahtab said.
The Cuttack MP also suggested that political parties should stay away from the matter as far as possible.
Ravenshaw University controversy continues
The latest developments have added a political dimension to the ongoing Ravenshaw University controversy, with the BJD seeking government intervention while Mahtab has called for restraint.
The focus is now on the university administration and the state government’s response to the concerns raised by different groups.
For now, regular academic activities are continuing at Ravenshaw University, while efforts are expected to be made to resolve the dispute through the university administration.
