Protests erupt across Odisha as NSUI calls for student union elections to resume

Protests erupt across Odisha: Monday, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, staged protests in front of various degree colleges and state public institutions across the state, including the capital city, to demand Students’ Union elections.

Members of the NSUI participated in protest dharnas and demonstrations while pounding cymbals. Yashir Nawaz, the state president of NSUI, stated, “Since 2018, we have been pleading for campus elections, but no one is listening. The government authorities are in a profound slumber, and we are striking cymbals to rouse them.

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Yashir, who participated in the protests and dharnas at Utkal University, BJB Autonomous College, DR Nayapalli College, and other colleges, stated that the state government is denying students their democratic rights by not holding campus elections. He added that violence on campuses is increasing, and numerous issues are affecting higher education institutions.

Yashir mentioned the severe lack of teaching and non-teaching positions in higher education institutions as well as the need for student representatives to address these issues. He emphasised the need for the reinstatement of campus surveys.

In July, students from various institutions of higher education and their affiliated organisations urged the state government and institution administrators to convene Students’ Union elections this year. Since 2018, campus elections have not occurred in the state.

The NSUI student leader suggested that by not holding campus elections, the government may be attempting to circumvent opposition from well-informed and aware students.