Row in Odisha varsity over interference by BJP MLA
The University Teachers Association has requested the Vice-Chancellor to take it up with Odisha Governor Haribabu Kambhampati, who is the chancellor of university, and safeguard dignity of teachers and integrity of the university administrative processes
At Ravenshaw University, one of Odisha’s oldest institutions, 29 hostel wardens and deputy wardens have resigned in protest against what they perceive as interference by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, Prakash Chandra Sethi. The university teachers have requested the Vice-Chancellor to address the issue with Odisha Governor Haribabu Kambhampati, the chancellor of the university, to protect the dignity of teachers and maintain the integrity of the university’s administrative processes.
The controversy arose following Sethi’s visit to the East Hostel, where student unrest was reported. According to reports, Sethi engaged in heated arguments with the warden and other hostel staff over hostel and university matters. This led to a serious confrontation between the MLA and the university teachers, who felt disrespected before students. As a result, the 29 hostel officials tendered their resignations.
The incident has been politicized, with student groups announcing a protest to safeguard the university’s autonomy. Sethi claimed that during a discussion with the Vice-Chancellor, he was interrupted by University Teachers Association head Sudarshan Mishra, who behaved disrespectfully and insulted him during a public forum despite Sethi’s constitutional position as an elected MLA.
Sethi insisted that Mishra’s conduct was highly unbecoming, amounting to gross misconduct that undermines the dignity of public representatives and the decorum expected in a public institution.
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