Acting still tougher after cancelling the Students’ Union elections this year, the authorities of the Ravenshaw University here closed the university sine die on Saturday and ordered the inmates to vacate their respective hostels at once.
The sine die order came at around noon after the Staff Council took a unanimous decision in view of the prevailing surcharged atmosphere in the campus. ”In view of the ongoing students’ unrest and deteriorating academic atmosphere in the campus, the university is closed sine die,” said a notification issued by university Registrar Dr Padan Kumar Jena.
The notification further said the boy boarders were directed to vacate their hostels before 3 pm and the girl inmates were asked to vacate their hostels before 10 am on Sunday.
“Failing to comply with the order will automatically lead to disciplinary action,” the notification, pasted in all hostel notice boards, said. The notification, however, added that all pre-approved programmes of the university would be held as usual. Since the Puja vacation is to begin from October 10, the university might think of lifting the prohibitory order only after the vacation.
The sine die order came as groups of students, protesting against the Friday’s decision of cancellation of union elections, staged dharnas in front of all the entrance gates of the university after locking them. No one from outside was allowed entry into the campus nor were the families residing in the campus allowed to go out.
Raising slogans and burning tyres, the protestors criticised the decision of the university authorities as “brutal” and “oppressive”.
“The authorities cannot curtail the democratic rights of the students by gag orders,” the strikers said in unison. Even in presence of the police, the agitated students were threatening to take law onto their hands and refused to relent despite fervent appeals from senior police officials.
It may be noted that following widespread vandalism by the students on Friday, the university authorities after cancelling elections had asked the police to take action against unruly students. The campus is now fortified with deployment of police force while hostel boarders were seen vacating the campus with their baggage.
Members of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) staged a demonstration in front of the university demanding withdrawal of the sine die order and holding of Students’ Union elections. Besides, they also demanded exemplary action against those responsible for the disturbances in the campus.