Kataka: A section of teachers of Ravenshaw University here staged a one-day cease-work on campus Friday, demanding non-interference by outsiders in university matters.
Wearing black badges, 88 members of Ravenshaw University Teachers’ Association (RUTA) went on mass leave and staged a demonstration before the vice-chancellor’s office on campus here.
The teachers’ body staged the protest following their face-off with Kataka Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi.
Attending a meeting held earlier this month to discuss issues of the varsity’s East Hostel students, the MLA alleged that the chief warden of hostels, Sudarshan Mishra, behaved inappropriately with him.
He had taken up the matter with Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy.
Later, Mishra along with wardens and deputy wardens of all 13 hostels on campus, was transferred by the university authority.
On the other hand, the teachers rejected the MLA’s claim and accused the legislator of inappropriate behaviour during the meeting.
RUTA president Urmishree Vedamata said, Our vice-chancellor (VC) did not inform us what action he has taken to stop external interference in university matters.
Vedamata said they are demanding strong steps to stop external interference following their issues with the Kataka Sadar MLA.
There are rules and procedures under which outsiders like senate members and others can engage in university affairs. However, if someone does not follow them, interferes in university issues, and insults us, we will not tolerate it, she said.
The teachers sought withdrawal of the new notification recently issued by the vice-chancellor’s office concerning the hostel residence committee.
Though we have sought time from the VC to discuss our concerns, he did not pay any heed to it. So, we staged a protest while making alternative arrangements so that teaching will not be affected, she said.
