Cuttack: The Ravenshaw University here has withdrawn its earlier directive, asking female employees and students to leave the campus by 5.30 pm, following backlash.
The order was issued on July 17 by the Vice-Chancellor following a high-level meeting of the Ravenshaw authorities, which was also attended by members of the anti-ragging committee, according to sources.
The meeting had decided that no women employees and research scholars would be assigned any office work during the evening hours. This restriction was to be in place until a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was established, defining work hours and safety protocols. “No female faculty, staff or students are permitted to remain in the workplace or on campus after 05.30 PM. This decision will remain in place until a formal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is issued, which will outline the necessary guidelines and protocols for work hours and safety measures,” the order said.
In case of any urgent work, they were required to take the consent of the concerned department head and also give in writing, expressing willingness to work after the said hour.
This order had assumed significance in the aftermath of death of a female student by self immolation on Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College campus in Balasore on July 12.
An official said that it was withdrawn after the Higher Education Department sent a missive, stating that it could send a wrong message.
The varsity registrar refused to comment on the matter.
