Bhadrak: Tensions flared at Bhadrak Autonomous College on Tuesday as the college Principal Durga Sankar Das, along with senior police officials and a magistrate, was barred from entering the campus by agitating student groups. The standoff followed a fresh escalation in a dispute over the installation of banners during Ganesh Puja celebrations.
The conflict began on Monday, when one group of students installed a banner at the college gate bearing the words “KILLER GROUP.” The provocative wording drew widespread objection from other students, prompting protests and leading to the removal of the banner later that day.
Later in the evening, a second group put up another banner displaying the name “Bhadrak Autonomous College”. However, the saffron background of the new banner led to fresh objections from rival factions. This reignited tensions on campus and drew police intervention.
“After the first banner was removed, we had instructed that no further banners were to be installed without prior approval,” said Principal Das, speaking to the media. “However, despite that, another banner was put up. I visited the college late at night, inspected it, and found no objectionable content in the wording, so I said it could remain.”
According to the principal, some students later informed him of their plan to install yet another banner at the same location.
“I advised them to place it elsewhere, since one was already there. But they refused to listen and stayed on campus through the night,” he said.
On Tuesday morning, the principal returned to campus, accompanied by the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Bhadrak Town Police Station and a local magistrate, with the intention of initiating talks between the two student groups. However, their efforts were stalled as students blocked the college gate, preventing the officials from entering.
