Cuttack, September 5: Malgodown police on Thursday registered an FIR against BJD MLA Byomkesh Ray, party leaders Lenin Mohanty and Bobby Khan in connection with a scuffle ensued between two groups of students of Ravenshaw University over Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s suggestion for change of the name of the university.
The scuffle broke out during a Mashal Sobhajatra (Torch Rally) at the university on Thursday between two groups of students.
According to the FIR lodged by a student of the university, the BJD leaders threatened him at the gunpoint near the university gate and asked him to leave the campus immediately.
Meanwhile, BJD vehemently condemned the ‘false’ and ‘unfounded’ FIR against its leaders.
“On September 4, 2024, a peaceful protest march was organized by alumni and former students of Ravenshaw University. The march was a democratic exercise aimed at voicing concerns over a controversial statement made by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan regarding the renaming of the institution,” the regional party said in a statement.
“This demonstration, which included participation from over 200 alumni and former students across various political affiliations, was conducted in a non-violent and orderly manner. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the Cuttack Commissionerate Police has unjustly targeted BJD leaders with allegations that appear to be both misleading and politically motivated,” it added.
