NLU ODHISA STATEMENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL

(Judicial Quest News Service)

On 24th July 2019, students of National Law University Odisha called an indefinite protest for
the fulfillment of some very grave and basic demands against administrative lethargy and
nonchalance. This call for protest followed several fruitless representations made to the
requisite authorities, both by the Student Body Association and the student body at large.
The first day of the protest was met with a lackadaisical attitude from the authorities and after
half a day of efforts, a brief meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and two senior adjunct
professors of the University was achieved. However, this meeting served to be an indifferent
and indignant approach to the genuine grievances of the student body. The administration was
hostile to the demands put forward by the Student Body Association and they hurried back
from the meeting trivializing the demands put forth by the students. The next day, coverage by
prominent media houses and significant online recognition was achieved by the students of
National Law University Odisha. On the same day the media was denied access into the campus
by the authorities, however, the unwavering resolve of the students forced the authorities to
grant them entry.
The students of National Law University Odisha stuck to their promise of an indefinite protest
until all demands laid out by the Student Body Association were met by the administration.
Rampant administrative apathy and strong rains both failed to demotivate the resolute students.
The students raised questions of basic human rights and dignity, something which was not even
acknowledged by the Vice-Chancellor as serious or worth his time.

On the second day, failing all the faith students had vested in the administration, the Vice-
Chancellor refused to adequately address the two most pressing issues of the student protest-
the repair and functional construction of the Girls Hostel II and the construction of the promised

library. The girls residing in Girls Hostel II in the middle of constant water seepage, fungi-
infested walls, the constant fear of electrocution and the lack of dignified housing are being

made to struggle for a dilligently constructed structure.
Assurances were made in regard to examination and academic policies, a permanent functional
dispensary, an ambulance and a nurse to cater to medical requirements and the students sought
to secure them. However, the administration failed to satisfactorily address opacity in Faculty
Evaluation and the fee hike for first-year students by Rs. 30,000 while improper and unjustified,
were defended as a direction of the Executive Council. The administration vehemently refused
to replace faculty resident wardens with non-faculty resident wardens.

The demand for implementing the promised hostel-in timing waiver was denied by the Vice-
Chancellor while an experimental extension till 12 midnight was proposed by the

administration and rejected by the students. The duties and progress of the Placement Officer
weren’t addressed by the Vice-Chancellor who laid it upon the students and alumni to place
before the administration contacts which could help them with the same. The Registrar made
oral assurances that the Air Conditioners in the Academic Block would be functional within a
week and the football field along with the cricket field, would be ready in a week’s time. In the
meeting with the Vice-Chancellor on the 26th of July, the previous suggestions were largely
rehashed without any indication of a concrete strategy from the administration. They were also
bereft of any official proof and evidence of the fulfilment of the promises made in the previous
meetings.
As administrative ignorance continues, the waves of protest and change in National Law
University Odisha continued unabated through 48 hours of protest.