Protesting ‘interference’ by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA in university affairs, wardens of all hostels at Ravenshaw University, one of Odisha’s oldest educational institutions, have tendered their resignations.
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. The issue is connected with the visit of Kataka Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi, to the East Hostel of the university where student unrest was reported.
Mr. Sethi reportedly had arguments over hostel and university matters with warden and other hostel staff.
It led to a serious confrontation between the MLA and the University teachers, who were aggrieved that they were insulted before students. Subsequently, as many as 29 wardens and deputy wardens tendered their resignation.
The issue has already been politicised, with student groups announcing a protest to demand to preserve the university’s autonomy.
Mr. Sethi on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) requested Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy to take action against Head of Department of Education Sudarshan Mishra, and the chief warden.
“The students of East Hostel were staging an indefinite hunger strike alleging harassment by the deputy warden. To help restore normalcy, I participated in the discussion in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor. However, while I was placing my suggestions for an amicable resolution, Mr. Mishra, repeatedly interrupted me, engaged in an unwarranted argument, and behaved in a disrespectful and insulting manner towards me, despite my constitutional position as an elected Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly,” he informed the Speaker in a letter.
“Such conduct on the part of a senior university official is highly unbecoming, amounts to gross misconduct, and undermines the dignity of a public representative as well as the decorum expected in a public institution,” Mr. Sethy insisted.
Published – August 06, 2026 03:12 am IST
