OHRC notice to Registrar, seeks report by Jun 29

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has asked the Ravenshaw University authorities to submit a report by June 29 clarifying the allegation that students underwent mental trauma and their human rights were infringed due to an all-of-a-sudden sine die declared by the university authorities in the night of May 8.

The commission issued this notice to the Registrar of the university on May 18 after accepting a petition filed by Arati Meher, a graduation final year political science student in this regard.

Meher alleged that while a large number of students, irked at non-response from the Vice-Chancellor to their repeated memorandums seeking filling up vacancies, creating infrastructure facilities and withdrawing fee hike proposals, had gathered in front of the VC office at 10.30 am to press for fulfilment of their demands, the VC didn’t give any response and remained in his office till 9.45 pm keeping students waiting for long 11 hours. At that time, the university authorities declared sine die without any rhyme or reason and asked hostel boarders to vacate the hostels by 10 am or else face action.

Meher mentioned in the petition that around 1,700 girls had to vacate the hostels at that odd hour of the night in a pitiable condition. Surprisingly, the sine die was lifted on May 9 and the University reopening was delayed by three days.

Pointing out that the university authorities’ decision caused much mental pain and left the students in traumatic conditions and their human rights were infringed, Meher urged the commission to ask the authorities to pay compensation of Rs 10, 000 to her and other boards of the hostel. 

The commission set the next hearing to June 29, 2018.