The Ravenshaw University has been embroiled in a controversy for alleged victimising students with the Ravenshaw Bikash Abhijan (RBA) seeking intervention of the governor against notices issued to students agitating in support of direct election for formation of students’ unio.

In a memorandum to the governor on Friday the RBA, which constitutes city-based socio-political activists and old student leaders of the institution, has sought direction to the Ravenshaw university authorities “to stop victimisation of the students, particularly the girl students for taking part in the agitation for protection of their democratic right”.

“It is a matter of great regret that instead of fulfilling the genuine and just demand of students the university authorities are victimising the students fighting for their democratic rights. Hundreds of students, including equal number of girls have already been given show cause notices, and students are being terrorised,” the RBA alleged in the memorandum.

The RBA has also sought direction to the Ravenshaw University authorities to conduct the polls in a suitable period after the Puja vacation in accordance with the order of the Supreme Court.

“We were assured by the governor’s office that appropriate action would follow on our memorandum,” RBA spokesperson Khageswar Sethi said.

On October 1, the varsity authorities issued notification for formation of students’ union on October 11. But on the same day, the authorities were forced to cancel the election for this year as students restricted the vice chancellor in his office demanding direct mode of election. The vice chancellor was restricted to his office whole night till Tuesday morning.

The authorities later issued show cause notices to nearly 150 students, including large number of girl students, who had stayed outside the hostel and taken part in the agitation. Vice Chancellor Ishan Patro said the decision to adopt two-tier system of election for office bearers of the students ‘ union was taken on the basis of recommendation of the executive council.

Under the two tier system, which Ravenshaw University wants to adopt, students will elect class representatives who on their part will elect office bearers of the student’s union.

The RBA felt that the executive council of the university had dealt with the matter of students’ union “in the most cavalier manner” and decided on the indirect mode of students representation in violation of the Supreme Court order.

The Apex Court in its order had clearly mentioned that universities with well defined single campus with relatively small student population should opt for direct mode of election. Ravenshaw undoubtedly comes under this category of institutions. The Supreme Court had endorsed the recommendation of the Lygdoh Committee for a system of direct election of the office bearers of the student body under which all students of university departments vote directly for office bearers.

The Supreme Court while approving it had in its order on September 22, 2006 directed that those recommendations should thereafter be followed scrupulously by all the universities across the country.