Bhubaneswar, Sep 17: The Odisha unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has started a campaign against the Odisha Universities Amendment Ordinance 2020.

The student wing has launched an online signature campaign against the ordinance. “We urge students and youths to sign this petition and join the movement in maximum number to repeal the University Amendment Act-2020 which is going to destroy the autonomy and educational environment of the University campuses. The demonstration against the ordinance will be intensified in the state,” said State Organizing Secretary of ABVP, Abhilash Panda.

The State government on September 2 had decided to bring all universities of the state under the ambit of one law.

Under the new decision, the unitary status accorded to Ravenshaw, Gangadhar Meher and Khalikote universities was revoked and the Ravenshaw University Act 2005 will be repealed. Similarly, the tenure of the Vice-Chancellors of the state universities was hiked from three to four years and their retirement age limit was extended from 65 to 67 years. The Senate system was also abolished.