The demand of students to give Bhawanipatna Government Autonomous College to university status is escalating day by day. The strike is on its 8th day. This movement is getting momentum and support from all corners of the district including political parties, organisations and intelligentsia.
The students of Bhawaniatna Government Autonomous College started reacting after the statement of Minister Devi Prasad Mishra on 14th of this month. While inaugurating the Aahar Centre at Balangir, the Industries, School & Mass Education Minister Devi Prasad Mishra declared that Rajendra Autonomous College will be given status of University.
The students of Bhawaniatna Government Autonomous College obstruct the National Highway 26 for 4 hours on 16th demanding university status to Bhawanipatna Government Autonomous College. On 17th they launched a huge torch procession in the town. Examinations have been postponed due to strike. The students of Bhawanipatna Government Autonomous College are on strike since last 8 days demanding university status for the college. Apart from the students, different organizations have rallied on behind the students and organizing meetings etc showing their solidarity to the demands.
Kalahandi is a backward region. Bhawanipatna Government Autonomous College has the eligibility with reference to infrastructure. The college deserves the university status on the basis of backwardness of the district in the state. The demand for the university status is going on for a long time.
According to the information, till date the state government has not released any official notification regarding university status. Now it is in proposal stage. The state government has invite public opinion by 30th of this month regarding it.
According to the sources, the Alumni Association of Bhawanipatna Government Autonomous College has also joined the move. The Association is going to launch a mass demonstration before the district collector office on 25th of this month demanding university status for the college. The association will present a memorandum to the chief minister through the district collector.