NLU Odisha Withdraws Statement One Day After Calling Students Protest On Academic Policies & Infrastructure “Illegal”

The students had started an indefinite protest against the university authorities opposing alleged introduction of arbitrary academic policies for evaluation of tutorial classes, lack of basic infrastructure and collective apathy of administration towards academic and mental issues of students.

A press statement issued by the student's body had stated that due to the lack of adequate and efficient response from the university, they had started the sit-in from 9 AM, January 24, 2025 so as to make the university administration address their concerns.

The statement cited three major reasons for initiating the demonstration, i.e. (i) arbitrary imposition of university policies on students; (ii) lack of infrastructural access; and (iii) insensitivity of administration towards mental health of students.

They alleged that imposition of evaluation for tutorial classes, without consultation with the students, breaches the UGC Guidelines for Student Entitlements, as it undermines transparency and rights of students.

Severe grievances were raised over the recent decision of the university to keep the Academic Block closed from 7 PM to 8 AM. They said that the decision has critically undermined the fundamental operational needs of student committees, academic preparation, and extra-curricular activities, hampering student culture. They also regretted paralysed infrastructures of the premiere institute which has caused a great deal of inconvenience.

The university administration had issued a counter press statement yesterday addressing the one released by the student's body on January 24. According to the said release, after the Registrar, Chief Warden and Controller of Examination met the students and agreed to take two interim steps of suspending evaluation till the next Academic Council meeting and also partially opening the Academic Block, the students had agreed to stop the protest. However, it alleged that after assuring to stay away from the demonstration, they again started the protest asking for acceptance of more demands by the Vice Chancellor.

The university had stated that the students remained dismissive of all the mental and physical health measures taken by the administration by appointing qualified full-time doctor, nurses and counsellor and they also did not acknowledge the positive steps taken by the university for betterment of the infrastructure, despite huge financial expenditures.

The university had, however, reiterated that it was open to have 'reasonable dialogue' with the students and resolve their legitimate concerns after the conclusion of two important official events, i.e. Annual Flower Show and Visit of Review Committee scheduled in the next one week.

Pertinent to note that after learning about the protest, the Higher Education Minister of Odisha Suryabanshi Suraj had lamented the unavailability of basic facilities like toilet and Wi-Fi in a premiere institute like NLUO. He had assured to address the concerns of the students at the earliest.