Odisha: BJD Students’ Wing Demands Union Minister’s Apology Over Ravenshaw Varsity Name Change Row

Cuttack: The students’ wing of BJD, Biju Chhatra Janta Dal (BCJD) on Monday staged a protest in Odisha’s Cuttack demanding an apology from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on his suggestion that the name of 156-year-old Ravenshaw University should be changed to reflect Odia identity.

The student activists carried out protests in front of the varsity’s gate demanding that Pradhan take back the statement which he made on Saturday during a programme on self-governance day in Cuttack.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Saturday suggested renaming of the prestigious Ravenshaw University, one of the oldest educational institutions in Odisha.

He, however, said that changing of name of the 156-year-old institute is his personal opinion.

BJCD members urged the Union Minister to focus on development of infrastructure and filling up vacant posts of the university instead of “indulging in name-change politics”. “We remember that the Union Minister had once hailed the standard of education in Ravenshaw university at an event in the past. Why not focus on upgrading Ravenshaw into a Central university,” they said.

Ravenshaw College has a glorious past, both pre and post independence. Exactly 10 years after the Indian National Congress celebrated their first independence day in the British regime, a 20-year-old student removed the Union Jack and hoisted the Congress tricolour flag on the premises of Ravenshaw College on January 26, 1940, the activists further stated.

“Instead of changing the name of Ravenshaw university, if the Minister takes steps towards improving the system and amenities of the iconic institution, the students and alumni will remain grateful to him,” they added.

The BCJD activists threatened a state-wide stir if the name of Ravenshaw university is changed or ‘distorted’ in future.