Students Burn Effigy Of Odisha Minister Over Cancellation Of Students’ Union Poll

Bhubaneswar: Students across Odisha took to the streets on Friday to protest against the state government’s decision to cancel students’ union election this year.

Raising slogans against the government, students of FM College in Balasore, Chirst College in Cuttack and GM University in Sambalpur burnt the effigy of Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo.

The students saw no reason behind the elections being cancelled since there had been no violence on the campus.

Meanwhile, students of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a demonstration in front of Sahoo’s residence in Odisha capital. A scuffle erupted between the demonstrators and the police personnel deployed at the spot, following which 30 students were detained.

On Thursday, Higher Education Department Secretary Saswat Mishra wrote to Vice-chancellors of universities and principals of degree colleges, intimating them about the government’s decision to the elections in the larger interest of the students.

“An alternative procedure for nominating students’ representatives to various bodies of universities/colleges, where students’ representation is required, shall be prescribed subsequently,” he added.

Last year, the elections in colleges and varsities slated for October 11 were cancelled due to Cyclone Titli.