Bhubaneswar, Feb 21: Students and alumni of Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College staged a demonstration on Saturday, demanding that the state government upgrade the institution into a full-fledged university. The protest gained momentum a day after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the establishment of four new universities in the 2026–27 State Budget, leaving the historic women’s college out of the list.

Expressing disappointment, students said the college has been a pioneer in women’s education and social empowerment in Odisha and deserves university status. “We have been peacefully protesting on campus for the last 30 days. The government praises women as ‘Subhadra’, yet our genuine demands are ignored,” said one student.

Another protester urged Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj to visit the campus and assure them that their demand would be considered. She questioned the government’s commitment to ‘Odia Asmita’ if such a reputed institution continues to be overlooked.

Former students also joined the agitation, stating that similar appeals during the tenure of the Biju Janata Dal government had gone unheard, and they now expect the present dispensation to fulfil its promises.

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