The State Government’s decision not to hold Students’ Union polls in degree colleges and universities this year has triggered sharp reactions from various student and political organisations.

 “It is very unfortunate that the State Government cancelled Students’ Union polls in colleges and universities. The autocratic attitude of the Government has deprived students of their rights. We condemned this,” said Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) State president Tankadhar Tripathy here.

The All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) demanded that the Government withdraw the decision and hold Students’ Union polls in all colleges and universities.

“The decision is meant to deprive students of their democratic rights and to stop them from holding demonstrations. Students had got the right to form student unions in colleges by the efforts of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during fights against the British. Thus, no Government has right to deprive students of this right,” said AIDSO State president Ganesh Tripathy and secretary Subas Nayakl in astatement.

The Student Federation of India (SFI) too opposed the decision. “Students have got right to form unions after years of joint revolution of the student society. However, the State Government should take the students into confidence while taking decisions relating to them. Thus, they should be allowed to form Students’ Unions in colleges and universities,” said SFI State convenor Biplab Mishra.  The BJYM, the AIDSO and the SFI threatened that students would take to the streets if the decision in not withdrawn soon.