The National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, clashed with police personnel during a protest outside the Odisha assembly. The NSUI has been demanding for elections in colleges and state-run universities for several years now. While the BJP government in the state claims to not have enough time to conduct the elections this year, the NSUI believes it is because the RSS-backed ABVP fears losing the polls. A scuffle broke out when the police did not allow the NSUI activists to march towards the assembly.
NSUI Clashes with Police in Odisha Amidst Protest for College Elections
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress party, recently engaged in a street clash with Odisha police personnel during a protest march demanding elections in colleges and state-owned universities. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the student body and the government over higher education reforms.
Background
The NSUI has been advocating for college elections for several years, arguing that it will ensure transparency and accountability in student governance. The BJP-led government in Odisha, however, has stated that it does not have sufficient time to conduct the polls this year.
The NSUI suspects that the government's reluctance stems from its fear of the RSS-backed student organization, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which it believes may not fare well in the elections.
Protest and Clashes
On October 26, 2023, hundreds of NSUI activists gathered outside the Odisha State Legislative Assembly to demand the announcement of college election dates. The police attempted to disperse the crowd, but the protesters resisted, leading to a scuffle.
Several NSUI activists were detained by the police, and some were injured in the clash. The NSUI alleged that the police used excessive force and accused the government of trying to stifle student dissent.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why is the NSUI demanding college elections? Answer: The NSUI believes that college elections promote transparency, accountability, and student involvement in governance.
2. Why has the Odisha government refused to hold elections? Answer: The government claims it does not have enough time to conduct the polls this year.
3. What is the role of the ABVP in this situation? Answer: The NSUI alleges that the government's inaction is influenced by its fear of the ABVP, which it believes may lose in the elections.
4. What happened during the protest clash with the police? Answer: NSUI activists clashed with police personnel after being denied permission to march towards the assembly. Several NSUI members were detained and injured.
5. What is the current status of the issue? Answer: The NSUI continues to demand the announcement of election dates, while the government maintains its position of not holding polls this year.
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