# Ravenshaw University wardens resign over alleged MLA interference 2026-08-05T22:52:15+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Wardens and deputy wardens at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack resigned in early August after the University Teachers Association accused Kataka Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi of interfering in university affairs. The Hindu reported that 29 wardens and deputy wardens tendered their resignations, and that the association asked the Vice-Chancellor to raise the matter with Odisha Governor Haribabu Kambhampati, who is the Chancellor of the university. The dispute followed Mr Sethi's visit to the East Hostel, where students were reported to be on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged harassment by a deputy warden. Teachers said they were insulted in front of students. Mr Sethi wrote to Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy on 4 August seeking action against education head of department Sudarshan Mishra and the chief warden, saying he had been interrupted and treated disrespectfully while making suggestions. Student groups announced a protest over university autonomy. ## Indian Opinion Analysis One outlet carried this account, and it rests on two sets of claims that do not meet. The teachers association says staff were insulted in front of students. The MLA says a head of department interrupted him and behaved disrespectfully. Neither version has been tested by an inquiry, and the report records no response from the Vice-Chancellor, who was present at the discussion. The resignations are the one verifiable fact, and they move the dispute to the Governor in his role as Chancellor. The checkable next step is whether Speaker Surama Padhy acts on Mr Sethi's letter of 4 August, since that is the only formal request either side has made. ## Coverage - The Hindu Tags: Odisha, Ravenshaw University Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/row-in-odisha-varsity-over-interference-by-bjp-mla/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/row-in-odisha-varsity-over-interference-by-bjp-mla/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.