Bhubaneswar: A deep divide has emerged within the teaching fraternity of Ravenshaw University after a group of faculty members walked out of the existing Ravenshaw University Teachers’ Association and floated a separate outfit.
The breakaway faction has named its new body the Ravenshaw Viswavidyalaya Shikshak Parishad, or RVSP. The development has set off a sharp exchange between the two groups, with both accusing each other of undermining the interests of teachers.
RVSP’s media coordinator, Professor Bikram Kishore Mishra, said the decision to form a new association was driven by ideological differences. According to him, several teachers felt stifled in RUTA and were unable to voice their concerns freely. The new platform, he claimed, will give faculty members space to raise academic and administrative issues without pressure.
The move has not gone down well with RUTA. Calling the split an “unfortunate conspiracy,” the association alleged that the new body was formed with the intent to fracture the unity of the teaching community and weaken its collective bargaining strength.
Tensions at Ravenshaw have been simmering for some time. Just last week, RUTA had locked horns with university authorities over the decision to replace all hostel wardens, a move that was also opposed by a local MLA. The teachers’ body had termed the decision arbitrary and demanded a rollback.
With the formation of RVSP, the campus now has two competing teachers’ associations, raising questions about how academic and administrative matters will be handled in the coming days amid the growing rift.
