Engineering students stage indefinite hunger strike over college closure in Odisha

Students of Barapada Engineering College in Bhadrak have launched an indefinite hunger strike, protesting the prolonged closure of academic activities, reportedly for the past eight months. 

Frustrated over the alleged inaction of the college and also the district administration despite repeated appeals, the students have locked the college gate and staged demonstrations.

More than a hundred students gathered at the main entrance, raising slogans and demanding immediate resumption of classes. 

According to the students, their education has been severely affected due to the closure, and they have vowed to continue their protest until the issue is resolved.

Intervention of Concerned Authorities Sought

They have urged the concerned authorities to intervene and take necessary steps to restart the academic sessions at the earliest. 

Meanwhile, no official statement has been received from the college administration regarding the matter. 

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Protesting Students’ Allegation

“It has been six to seven months, but there are no academic activities at the college. The college has just opened to conduct examinations. The college closes as soon as the examination is over. Despite paying our fees, we are deprived of education,” alleged Satya Ranjan Sethi, a protesting student.

Echoing the same, another student Sasmita Rout said, “There are no classes for the last eight months. Despite paying the fees, the college authorities have suspended bus services causing inconvenience to the students. Even after raising the matter before the concerned officials, there is no resolution to the matter. So, finding no other option, we have resorted to a hunger strike for an indefinite period.”