Bhubaneswar, 05 October (H.S.): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday alleged that the previous government had kept student union elections suspended since 2017 on various pretexts, depriving an entire generation of students of their democratic right to elect their representatives.

Majhi said the present government had fulfilled its promise to students by restoring student union elections, which will be held across colleges and universities in the state on October 15 after a gap of eight years.

In a social media message, the Chief Minister said the government had honoured its commitment to restore students’ democratic rights by taking a decision to revive the elections and putting it into action.

He said the youth of Odisha are not merely the leaders of tomorrow but active partners in shaping the Odisha of today. Their voices, ideas and aspirations must find space within educational institutions and the democratic process, he said.

Student union elections are not merely a formality but an important platform for young people to participate in the democratic process, elect their representatives and develop leadership qualities, Majhi said.

The Chief Minister said his government had promised to restore the democratic rights of students and had now fulfilled that commitment through concrete decisions and implementation.

He urged students to participate in the elections with confidence, discipline, dignity and a democratic spirit. He called upon them to strengthen their voices, elect their representatives and play an active role in shaping the future of their educational institutions as well as the state.

“Confident youth and vibrant campus democracy are essential for building a prosperous and developed Odisha,” Majhi said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda