Eight days after the clash between two groups of students, normalcy finally returned to Ravenshaw University campus on Monday with the boarders of the East Hostel calling off their hunger strike.
The boarders decided to withdraw their ‘dharna’ and hunger strike after the university authorities assured them of reconsidering the suspension of four fellow students.
The students had been sitting on hunger strike in front of the office of the Vice-Chancellor since March 1 to protest the punishment imposed by the authorities, which they termed one-sided.
With the probe indicting four students, including two day scholars for the clash, the authorities had spelt out strong punishment, debarring them from four successive semesters.
The students, while being evicted from the campus, were forbidden from entry till April, 2015.
Pursuant to the decision, action has already been initiated and the students have vacated the hostel. But the authorities on Monday seemed in a mood for a climbdown.
“The request of the East Hostel boarders will be taken into consideration. The issue will be put before the Staff Council when it meets next,” Vice-Chancellor Prof B C Tripathy said.
However, the chances of quick action in this connection is remote as the Staff Council is not scheduled to meet soon. The recent meeting following the clash was convened due to the extraordinary situation.
Further, the reconsideration would also depend on the acceptance by the rival group of boarders belonging to the New PG Hostel. Rollback of the punishment could trigger opposition from their side as one among them has sustained serious injury and another had his motorcycle burnt in the violence.
If there is a compromise or settlement between the warring groups, things can be fast-tracked, sources said.