Sambalpur University students protest demanding online exams amid COVID-19 surge

According to the reports, the situation turned so violent that the police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the agitating students.

Sambalpur University students demand online exams: A group of students ransacked the administrative building of the varsity on April 6, 2021, demanding an online examination of the third semester of the plus three courses of the university. According to the reports, the situation turned so violent that the police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the agitating students. Talking about the incident, Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, Sanjiv Mittal said, "At around 12 noon, we heard a high-intensity sound, as if a bomb has exploded outside the administrative building. When we went outside to see what had happened, we saw that some youths were ransacking the administrative building. They wanted to meet the vice-chancellor. When I talked to them, they handed me a memorandum and said that they wanted the examination to be held in online mode. I told them that we could discuss it in the office. But they refused to cooperate and continued ransacking.”

The VC further added, "Subsequently, we informed the police. When police chased them away, they went on vandalising whatever came on their way while escaping. We have also lodged a complaint with the police in this regard."

Media reports suggest that the students made a lot of chaos in the administrative building of Sambalpur University. The irate students broke air coolers, tables, chairs, reception desks, and window glasses among many other things of the administrative building. A teacher of the varsity, Biswajit Satpathy also sustained injuries in the incident.

While the CCTV footage is being verified, an agitator, Ankit Sahu said that he is a student of Plus-III second-year student of TF College in Bargarh. He further expressed that the University conducted all the classes via online mode and now wants the students to appear for offline exams from April 27 putting their health at risk amid the ongoing pandemic situation.

“We want the varsity authorities to conduct the examination through online mode for the safety and security of the students,” he added. The act has been condemned by the Sambalpur University Teachers Association (SUTA). The association has appealed to the parents and students of the varsity to cooperate with the university administration to help them discharge their duties unhindered.

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