BJD MLA and 2 others arrested for alleged role in gang clash

The row over changing the name of Ravenshaw University in Cuttack intensified after police arrested a BJD MP and two party leaders for allegedly participating in a mass riot.

The trio – BJD MP Byomkesh Roy and party leaders Lenin Mohanty and Akram Khan (nicknamed Bobby) – have been accused of participating in a mass clash during a torchlight rally by students on Wednesday.

On Thursday evening, the Malgodown police in Cuttack registered a case based on a written complaint filed by a researcher at the university’s statistics department.

The complaint said that during the rally, a fight broke out between two groups near the university’s main gate, with some students alleging that they were manhandled by outsiders on campus.

The opposition BJD strongly condemned the complaint against its leaders. The party argued that the rally was peaceful and said none of the participants entered the university campus.

“Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strongly condemns the false and baseless FIRs filed against our respected party leaders Byomkesh Roy, MLA Dr Lenin Mohanty and Akram Khan (Bobby Khan) in connection with the recent protests at Ravenshaw University,” the BJD said in a statement.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had suggested on August 31 that the name of Ravenshaw University, named after the British bureaucrat, be changed. However, he clarified that it was his personal opinion.

The issue triggered a heated debate in the Odisha State Assembly on Thursday, with the ruling BJP, the opposition BJD and the Congress exchanging sharp remarks.

(Except for the headline, this story from a syndicated channel has not been edited by Odishatv.in staff)