Bhubaneswar: Alleging that the higher education system in Odisha has been steadily deteriorating since the BJP government assumed power, a delegation of Biju Yuva Janata Dal and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum.
The delegation was led by Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Chinmay Sahu and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Ipsita Sahu,
The party alleged that due to the unjustified delay in appointment of full-time Vice Chancellors in 14 universities, the higher education system of the state has virtually slipped into a state of paralysis. It was stated that prolonged absence of VCs has resulted in administrative stagnation, lack of accountability, deterioration of academic discipline, disruption of research activities, chaos in examination conduct, delay in recruitment, and severe difficulties for students, teachers, and non-teaching staff.
The regional party also raised questions on the amendments to the University Amendment Act introduced by the current BJP-led state government in 2024 and 2025, alleging that it has severely altered the transparent, merit-based process for the selection of VCs ensured by the University Amendment Act, 2020.
It stated that under the revised provisions, the state government forwards three names to the Governor, from which one is appointed as the Chairperson of the Search Committee, without any clearly defined or transparent criteria for such shortlisting.
“We further wish to highlight that while the 2020 amendment enabled transparent appointments, the new amendments have created serious doubts about the integrity of the selection process,” alleged the party.
The BJD further underscored that despite notifications and assurances issued by the government regarding the completion of the Vice-Chancellor appointment process by July 2025, no appointments have been made to date.
The regional party also threatened to hold protests if the vacant Vice-Chancellor posts are not filled by the last week of February 2026. BJD also drew attention towards the massive vacancies in the higher education institutions in the state.
The party also accused the ruling BJP of not taking any tangible steps to fulfil its poll promise regarding the establishment of an Odisha Adivasi Swabhiman University to promote, preserve, and research tribal art, culture, and languages.
The opposition party demanded the immediate appointment of full-time Vice-Chancellors for all vacant posts in universities, the restoration of transparency, merit, and accountability in the appointment process, and the protection of autonomy and academic integrity of Odisha’s higher education institutions.
