Kataka: The controversy involving Ravenshaw University wardens and Odisha MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi intensified on Wednesday with both sides levelling allegations against each other and demanding action.
While the university teachers’ association demanded an unconditional apology from the legislator, Sethi has wrote to Odisha Assembly Speaker and sought action against Chief Warden Sudarshan Mishra.
Notably, the controversy erupted after a meeting on hostel-related issues at the university, during which the chief warden faced misconduct allegedly from the legislator. Following the incident, several wardens reportedly sought to step down from their hostel responsibilities and submitted their collective resignation letters to the Vice-Chancellor, expressing solidarity with the chief warden.
On Wednesday, members of the Ravenshaw University Wardens’ Association organised a protest march on the campus and submitted a four-point memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor. The association demanded that MLA Prakash Sethi, MLA from Cuttack Sadar apologise to the chief warden over the alleged incident. The Ravenshaw University Teachers’ Association has also extended support to the wardens’ demands.
“While external interference in the university must be stopped, the respect and dignity of the teachers should also be protected. Therefore, we appeal to the government to stop this external interference. The way the MLA came and instigated the students, and behaved indecently towards the Chief Warden, will never be tolerated,” said a warden.
Meanwhile, the MLA has strongly denied the allegations and has instead accused Chief Warden Sudarshan Mishra of misbehaving with him during his visit to the university.
In a letter to the Assembly Speaker, Sethi said he had visited Ravenshaw University in his capacity as a Senate member and interacted with students over hostel-related issues. He alleged that the chief warden behaved inappropriately with him in the presence of others.
Claiming that the conduct of the chief warden amounted to disrespect towards a public representative, Sethi urged the Speaker to initiate appropriate action against him.
While the legislator is yet to issue any public response to the wardens’ demand for an apology, the university administration has not made an official statement so far on the developments.