The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) staged protests at various degree colleges and state public universities in Odisha, demanding the resumption of Students' Union elections. The NSUI accused the government of neglecting their pleas to reinstate campus elections since 2018. They believe that the absence of student representatives has led to issues like a shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff and increased violence on campuses. The government's reluctance to hold campus elections has sparked discontent among well-informed students.