No student was confined during visit of Odisha CM: Minister

As pandemonium prevailed in the Odisha assembly over alleged confinment of students of Rama Devi Women's University during Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's visit to the institution, the government on Saturday accused the media of misreporting.

"The report published in media that girl students were detained in the Rama Devi Women's University is not based on truth," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh told the state assembly.

He said no girls were detained or debarred from entering the campus and participating in the function. However, some students tried to enter the campus through gate number two, which was reserved for VIPs, rather than gate number one, which was opened for them and other guests, said Arukh.

Notably, some female students were allegedly detained at the varsity campus during the visit of Chief Minister to inaugurate the Women's University on Thursday.

The assembly witnessed uproarious scenes throughout the day over the issue with opposition demanding apology of the Chief Minister forcing the speaker to adjourn the house several times. Later, the speaker gave a ruling directing the state government to give a statement on the issue.

Meanwhile, Pradesh Congress Committee president Pradsad Harichandan demanded a criminal case be lodged against the Chief Minister for infringing upon the human rights of the students. Some students lodged complaints at the Odisha Human Rights Commission while BJP's women wing moved the State Commission for Women.

--Indo-Asian New Service

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