At Birmaharajpur College in the Sonepur district of Odisha, tensions increased after a cricket selection match was abruptly stopped on Monday due to a missing bat. The interdepartmental cricket tournament, which started on December 6, was impacted by the disturbance. Before college officials canceled the remaining games, only two had been played.
Students staged a sit-in outside the college gate and chanted anti-chairman slogans in protest of the abrupt cancellation. They claimed that the selection trials, which were designed to choose athletes for tournaments at the collegiate level, were mismanaged. The incident has brought attention to how the college manages athletic events and how well-prepared it is for basic logistical requirements.

Charges Made Regarding the Use of the Sports Fund
A student speaking on behalf of the demonstrators questioned the rationale behind stopping the selection process due to a lost bat.
"Colleges are choosing students to play cricket at the university level. After two days of matches, faculty members abruptly halted the proceedings, claiming that a bat was missing. We don't know if it was intentionally concealed or actually lost," he stated.

He further claimed that the college neglected to provide players with even the most basic facilities. "The management did not supply drinking water or tiffin, despite the fact that our bouts run all day. The college takes action when bicycles or computers are taken, but in this case, despite having a specific sports fund, they claim they are unable to purchase another bat.

College Has Not Responded
The principal's response to the accusations and match cancelation was not available, despite growing student discontent.