(Update)--Student unions have protested against the decision on changing the name of Sudur Paschim University. The meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday had decided to change the name of the University to the Dwarika Devi Thakurani University. The All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) and All Nepal National Independent Students Union among other student unions have padlocked the central office of the University this morning. The ANNFSU district committee joint-secretary Narendra Karki informed that they padlocked the main gate and office of the university. He said that they protested against the cabinet decision of changing the name of the university. He added that the name of the university could be changed as Dasharath Chand or Bhimdutta Panta instead of Dwarika Devi Thakurani therefore, it was unacceptable to them.

(updated)--Student unions affiliated to the major political parties have forced the shutdown of all educational institutions in Kanchanpur from this morning, protesting against the government's decision to change the name of Sudur Paschim University. Citing that the government did not even deem it necessary to discuss the matter at the local level, the students have also continued the padlocking at the university's central office. Student unions affiliated to CPN UML, United CPN Maoist, Biplav Maoist, and Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal have started the agitation against the government's decision to change the university's name. Nepali congress's student wing Nepal Student Union has however not participated in the agitation.