Sanatan (Hindu) students at Jagannath University held a sit-in on Tuesday at the university’s Muktomoncho, demanding the establishment of a central temple on campus. The protesters described a plan to build a public toilet near the proposed temple site as an act of religious disrespect. Participants from various departments joined the demonstration, chanting slogans asserting their right to a temple and criticizing the university administration.

Ajay Pal, general secretary of the Sri Chaitanya Education and Culture Association, said the university has about 2,700 Sanatan students but no central temple despite repeated petitions. He added that the vice-chancellor had cited space constraints but later indicated a site near Muktomoncho, where a public toilet project has now been initiated, angering students. Priyanta Swarnakar, acting president of the Student Unity Council, said the decision to build the toilet was made without consulting them.

Sumon Kumar Das, president of the Jagannath University Sanatan Student Council, announced that foundation rituals would be completed and temple construction would begin the same day. The protesters demanded a clear statement from the administration to fulfill their request promptly.