Bhubaneswar, Oct 14 (UDN): Tension gripped Utkal University’s Vani Vihar campus on Wednesday after members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) clashed during a ‘Why I Stand For’ meeting at the convocation hall. Chairs were reportedly thrown and property vandalised, disrupting the programme ahead of the upcoming student union elections.
The confrontation erupted as members of the two student organisations traded allegations over the presence of outsiders at the venue. Both sides accused each other of bringing non-students into the hall and creating a disturbance.
ABVP, BCJD Trade Allegations
A BCJD member alleged that non-students had entered the campus and threatened its members and other students. The member also demanded that the Vice-Chancellor visit the venue and hold discussions to address the situation.
The BCJD representative further claimed that ABVP candidates were apprehensive about the election outcome and were seeking support from the BJP and police.
ABVP members rejected the allegations, with one candidate claiming that some BCJD students had brought outsiders into the convocation hall, triggering the disturbance.
The rival claims could not be independently verified.
DCP Intervenes to Defuse Tension
Bhubaneswar DCP Saravana Vivek M reached the spot and held discussions with students in an effort to restore calm and facilitate the continuation of the meeting.
Addressing those present, the DCP appealed to non-students affiliated with all political groups to leave the venue. He said the police wanted the programme to proceed smoothly and indicated that a subsequent meeting with the Vice-Chancellor could involve alumni, representatives and police officials.
As tensions eased following the intervention, candidates waited for the meeting to resume. A BCJD candidate also appealed to students to remain calm so that the programme could continue peacefully.
NSUI Seeks Greater Vigilance
A candidate from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) condemned the incident and called on university authorities and police to strengthen vigilance to prevent similar disturbances.
The clash has raised concerns over maintaining a peaceful atmosphere on campus as student union elections approach. The immediate priority remained restoring order and allowing candidates to present their views without disruption.
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