Finally, basing on the reports of the SUTA (Sambalpur University Teachers Union), superintendents of different hostels, wardens and some elite citizens; the authorities of Sambalpur University have decided to cancel the students’ union election.
“Students are not in a mood to maintain discipline and follow the democratic practices. Hence, we decided to take such a drastic step,” said VC Prof Deepak Behera.
“We were determined to conduct election since it is part of the democratic process. But the attitude of the students compelled us for such a decision,” Prof Behera added.
The ABVP and BJD’s student wing are not happy with the decision of the university authorities.
The ABVP leaders alleged that the university authorities are under pressure for which they cancelled the polls.
“In apprehension of probable defeat of the BJD wing, the State Government prefers not to go for direct election and university authorities are acting as toys,” said Deepak Dash and Abinash Bag of ABVP. “But we will never tolerate injustice to student mass and see that free and fair election is held in the campus,” they added.
Meanwhile, BJD students wing dubbed the view od the ABVP as very ridiculous. “Perhaps they have not learnt any lesson from the Delhi University (DU) election. Otherwise, they would not have passed such immature statements,” said Abinash Das of student BJD.
“We also don’t support the decision of the SU authorities and will fight for election because the entire student mass are with us,” Das added.
A senior official of SU said that very stringent action will be taken against indiscipline in the campus. However, situation in other colleges of the town and across the district is totally different with students preparing for the ensuing election.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose College, Govt Women’s College, Hirakud College and colleges in Rairakhol and Kuchinda sub divisions are on a poll spree and the administrations of the institutions are also on total alert there.
It needs to be mentioned here that to avoid unpleasant situation, the GM (Autonomous) College, now GM University, has been selecting union office bearers instead of direct election for over a decade.a