Clash between exam schedule and sports meet sparks student unrest at Ravenshaw University

Tension flared at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack on Saturday as students launched a protest after the dates of the All-India East Zone Inter-University Sports Competition clashed with the ongoing semester examinations. Agitated students staged a sit-in in front of the Administrative Block, accusing the university of scheduling exams that directly overlapped with the sporting event for which they were officially selected to represent the institution.

Students alleged that, despite raising the issue earlier, the administration failed to take corrective action, forcing them to resort to a protest. They demanded the postponement of exam dates for participating sportspersons and the conduct of a special examination exclusively for them.

Students’ Demand

Simran Moharana, a student of Ravenshaw University, said the clash had placed athletes in an impossible situation.

“We have to participate both in the examinations and in the sports events, but the semester exam dates are overlapping with the competition. This has become difficult for us. We request that a special examination be conducted for us with written assurance that it will be treated as a special exam and not a backlog. We want the special exam to be held after the sports competition,” she said.

Authorities Respond

PG Council Chairman Dharmabhata Mohapatra reached the protest site and held discussions with the aggrieved students. He assured them that their concerns would be placed before the university administration.

“I held discussions with the students and will speak to the university authorities regarding the issue. After deliberations, we will take appropriate decisions,” Mohapatra stated.