Jagannath University students rally demanding right to celebrate Kali Puja

Hindu students at Jagannath University have accused the university administration of interfering in their religious freedom, demanding permission to celebrate Kali Puja and establish a temple on campus. Leaders of several student organisations, including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, and Socialist Students' Front, expressed solidarity with their demands. The protesters held a rally at the Shanto Chattar on Thursday afternoon, alleging that the administration had interfered in their religious freedom and made derogatory comments about the Kali Puja. They later took a procession to the administrative building and handed a memorandum to the vice-chancellor’s office. According to the students, when they first approached the proctor for permission to hold the Kali Puja, he verbally agreed,...