Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Odisha Minister Urges Peaceful Participation in Student Union Elections
Student elections are returning to colleges and universities in Odisha after a long break.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj asked students to take part fairly and avoid violence.
He said elections can help students learn about democracy and leadership.
He also said the government must handle any problems with law and order.
Suraj criticized the previous government, saying it should not have stopped elections because of violence concerns.
Notifications are scheduled for October 7, and students will vote on October 15.
The results are also due that day.
Newly elected student representatives are expected to take their oaths on October 16.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj urged students to take part in Odisha’s returning campus elections peacefully and fairly.
Suraj said student polls after a long gap offer students experience and a chance to develop leadership.
He said maintaining law and order is the government’s responsibility and violence concerns should not halt elections.
Suraj accused the previous government of using campus violence as a pretext to sabotage emerging student leadership.
Election notifications are due October 7, polling and results on October 15, and the oath ceremony on October 16.
- Who
- Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and students at colleges and universities.
- What
- The minister urged peaceful participation in the return of student union elections.
- When
- The appeal was made on Monday; the election schedule runs from October 7 to October 16.
- Where
- Odisha, India.
- Why
- The minister said campus polls provide democratic participation and leadership experience, and students’ concerns a greater voice.
Minister’s criticism
Previous government’s stated context
Suspending campus elections
Minister’s criticism
Suryabanshi said the possibility of violence should not be used to suspend elections and deprive students of democratic rights; he accused the previous government of using violence as a pretext to sabotage emerging leadership.
Previous government’s stated context
The article says the 2018 election cycle was cancelled due to repeated campus violence and Cyclone Titli, but provides no response from the previous government.
- Election notifications
- October 7
- Nomination filing and scrutiny
- October 9
- Final candidate list
- October 10
- “Why I Stand For” meeting
- October 14
- Polling, counting and results
- October 15
- Oath ceremony
- October 16
- Last regular elections
- 2017
- 2018 election cycle
- Cancelled after campus violence incidents and Cyclone Titli; elections then remained suspended through the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent change of government.