Orissa HC Seeks State Govt’s Response on Cancellation of Student Union Elections

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has sought a response from the state government regarding the cancellation of students’ union elections in universities and colleges. This comes as a result of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Odisha.

During the proceedings, the High Court served notices to the Chief Secretary, Higher Education department secretary, and School and Mass Education (S&ME) department secretary. These officials have been given a one-week deadline to submit their replies.

ABVP brought to the Court’s attention that the state of Odisha has not conducted students’ union elections in public universities, government colleges, and non-government-aided colleges since 2018. They argued that this cancellation has led to the violation of fundamental rights for the students.

In their PIL, the ABVP has urged the High Court to direct the state government to issue the necessary notification for conducting students’ union elections in universities and colleges in Odisha for the academic year 2023-24.

Notably, the Common Academic Calendar for 2023-24, released by the state government in September, does not include any mention of students’ union elections. This issue raises concerns about the democratic process within educational institutions in the state.