Bhubaneswar: A disagreement over the removal of student organisation posters escalated into a major confrontation at Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, leading to allegations of misbehaviour, physical altercation, and the unauthorised entry of male outsiders into the all-women’s campus.
The incident prompted students to lock the university gates in protest and drew police intervention.
University Vice-Chancellor Jyotsna K B Rout had directed members of the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to remove posters put up near the main gate to welcome newly admitted students and recruit members.
According to Laxmipriya Biswal, a BCJD member and third-year student, her group complied with the directive, but ABVP members allegedly refused, sparking an argument. Biswal claimed that ABVP member Roshni Jena misbehaved with her during the clash.
Jena, a resident student whose contact details appeared on one of the posters, denied the allegations. She countered that Biswal was not a student of the university and alleged that Biswal assaulted her in the presence of Deputy Registrar Dilip Bisi. Amid the heated exchange, Jena reportedly called male supporters, who entered the campus and proceeded toward the VC’s office to press her grievance. “After the confrontation with Laxmipriya, I went to the VC’s office but was not allowed to enter. I then called my ABVP colleagues, some of whom are also my local guardians,” Jena told the medis.
Both student groups later approached the Vice-Chancellor with their complaints.
“The two students had mutually agreed to resolve the banner issue. However, about half an hour after our office opened, a group of 12 outsiders forcibly opened the security gate and rode their bikes inside the campus, shouting loudly in the corridors,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
The VC noted that university officials and an assistant professor attempted to defuse the situation, but the outsiders used highly objectionable language. Despite university authorities trying to reason with them and emphasising that the students had already reached an understanding, the group demanded “justice” and insisted on staging a protest.
Following which, police were called to manage the situation, she said, adding that one among of the student had appeared for exam and awaiting her results.
The Vice Chancellor reassured students and parents that the situation is now completely under control and peaceful. “They intentionally tried to create a disturbance and tarnish the image of the university. We have held a meeting with all our professors. Strict legal and administrative action will definitely be taken against the 12 outsiders who forcibly entered the campus,” the VC said, pointing out that admissions and exams were underway, making the security of the students and parents on campus a top priority.
Saheed Nagar police confirmed that no formal complaint was lodged by either side. Cops were also deployed on campus as a precautionary measure to prevent further escalation.
