Chhatra Congress activists hurl tomatoes at Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo’s residence

Opposing restrictions on self-finance courses in government varsities by the Higher Education Department, Odisha Chhatra Congress activists hurled tomatoes at minister Arun Sahoo’s residence in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

The students’ wing of the grand old party expressed its resentment over the move and gheroed Sahoo’s residence. They shouted slogans against the minister.

The activists also demanded resignation of Sahoo over admission of several students in different colleges across the State by producing fake disability certificates.

As per the allegations by the activists, the department’s move of restriction on self-finance courses in government universities will deprive poor and meritorious students from getting admission into those courses.

“Arun Sahoo should resign on moral ground as he is involved in so many corruption cases. While meritorious students are not getting admission into good colleges, dull students are able to do so by producing fake disability certificates. The department has become dormant. Sahoo should take the responsibility and resign immediately,” said Rajat Choudhury, President of Odisha Chhatra Congress.

“Private educational institutions will benefit from restrictions on self-finance courses in government varsities. The private institutions will charge exorbitant fees and ultimately the poor and the meritorious will suffer,” said another protestor.