Cuttack: Tension gripped Ravenshaw University campus on Wednesday evening as a clash broke out between two groups of students and alumni during a torch rally protesting the proposed name change of the university.
The rally, organized by ‘Save Ravenshaw Legacy’, comprising former students, marched from Ranihat to Ravenshaw, raising slogans against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who suggested the name change. However, their entry into the campus was opposed by students from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), leading to a face-off.
Police intervened to pacify the irate students and protesters. Students alleged that outsiders were entering the campus, flouting university guidelines, and creating a ruckus. Some students claimed they were assaulted by these outsiders.
The clash has sparked concerns over the university’s safety and the politicization of the campus. Students have demanded restrictions on outsiders entering the campus, especially after 6 pm. University authorities and police have yet to comment on the incident.
The controversy began when Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan suggested renaming the historical institution, sparking a debate. Pradhan questioned the role of Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named.
