Cuttack: A scuffle allegedly ensued between two groups during a torch rally taken out by the students of Ravenshaw University in Cuttack city opposing Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s suggestion for change in the name of the university.
Hundreds of present and former students of the prestigious university participated in the torch rally in the city in the evening. The rally, taken out under the banner of Save Ravenshaw Legacy Forum, started from Ranihat Square and went around the city to culminate at College Square.
During the rally, the students carrying torches raised slogans against attempt to rename the university. They demanded steps to retain the century-old name of the educational institution.
During the rally, some outsiders reportedly tried to disrupt the protest. As they were opposed by the protesting students, a scuffled ensued between the two groups. Some students alleged that they were manhandled by the outsiders in the university campus.
However, normalcy was restored due to timely intervention by the police deployed during the rally.
It may be noted that the Union Minister had made the suggestion about changing the colonial name of the university during his visit to the city on August 31. Following widespread opposition to the suggestion, he had said it was his personal opinion and called for a debate on the issue among the academicians, intelligentsia.
