Odisha 'Chhatra Congress' workers staged demonstrations in Bhubaneswar ahead of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's visit to Vani Vihar to attend the 79th foundation day ceremony of Utkal University on Saturday.
As per reports, the activists showed black flags and shouted 'go back' slogans against the minister before his arrival at the venue. In the process, they also clashed with police personnel who tried to prevent the march of the protestors. Police have detained a few activists.
"We are protesting against the anti students policy of BJP-led Union government and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. We appeal to all the students to raise their voices against BJP's effort to commercialise education," said Students' Congress leader Akhilesh Yadav.
"The National Education Policy (NEP) of the Union government has turned as 'no employment policy'. Students across the country are not getting any employment even after their study," said Yadav.
The activists also alleged that basic development is missing in Utkal University.
"Pradhan is currently the Union Education Minister and he was the alumni of Utkal University. But basis development activities are missing in the institution. Therefore, we are protesting his visit to the university on the occasion of its foundation day," said Chhatra Congress Secretary Arman Jena.
(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)