Cuttack: Tension prevailed at Ravenshaw University’s East Hostel on Monday as students continued an indefinite hunger strike for the second consecutive day, demanding the resignation of deputy warden Rabi-ul-Ansari for allegedly ordering two hostel rooms to be locked without prior notice.The protesting students gathered outside the hostel, beat gongs as a symbolic mark of protest and raised slogans against the deputy warden, accusing him of adopting a ‘dictatorial’ style of functioning. They said the agitation would continue until their demand for his resignation was met.The incident began after hostel inmates celebrated Friendship Day together on Aug 1 (the eve of Friendship Day). The next morning, their rooms were locked.According to the students, Ansari ordered two hostel rooms to be locked the following Sunday morning, triggering resentment among the boarders. They alleged the decision was taken arbitrarily and without giving the occupants an opportunity to explain their position.“This is not a matter of just a day or two. On Sunday around 10 am, I was sleeping in my room when the deputy warden, along with a few others, knocked on my door. When I opened the door, they asked me to take my mobile phone and charger and step outside. I came out thinking sir wanted to discuss something with me, but later saw the room was locked,” said Sandeep Das, an inmate of the East Hostel.“Rabi-ul-Ansari must resign for such dictatorial behaviour and irresponsibility. Our strike will continue until he resigns,” added Das.The protest disrupted normal hostel activities, with several boarders joining the agitation in solidarity.Students alleged that the incident reflected a lack of transparency and accountability in hostel administration.A similar incident was reported by Arpit Ayush Kar, a third-year undergraduate student, whose hostel room was also allegedly locked under the deputy warden’s directions. Kar claimed that the action was taken without any prior notice or explanation.Responding to the allegations, chief warden Sudarshan Mishra acknowledged that the hostel rooms had been locked but said the university would investigate the circumstances leading to the action. “We have taken serious note of the students’ grievances. The university will conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings,” Mishra said.Vice-chancellor Arka Kumar Das Mohapatra said, “We are looking into the matter. We are in touch with the students and will verify all details and inquiry will be done. We have asked the students to restore normalcy and end the protest.”University authorities are expected to hold talks with the agitating students to defuse the situation, even as the protesters remained firm on continuing their indefinite hunger strike until the deputy warden steps down.
