A minister’s visit to Jadavpur University descended into chaos that left two students injured while days later fresh violence boiled over after members of two student unions clashed at one of the entrances of the university.
Walking in through gate number 4 of the university, one saw that student unions amplified their views and protests through posters as students said many are boycotting classes; others are attending but not marking their attendance.
Anamika Saren, a 4th-year engineering student, told The Indian Express that the melee on Saturday has left the students wondering if they are safe. “The way the Education Minister left the campus without speaking to the students, another student being grazed by the convoy was never expected. We were shocked. We are traumatised… As a student, we never expected this. We do not feel safe,” Saren said.
Education Minister Bratya Basu visited the JU campus on March 1 but an attempt was made by Left-leaning students to prevent him from leaving, demanding discussions on the conduct of student union elections which have not been held for several years.
The heated arguments embroiled into a clash, leaving a student Indranuj Roy injured after the minister’s convoy allegedly grazed him during the commotion.
On Tuesday, Basu personally reached out to Roy’s family and expressed regret over the incident. “The education minister called me. He is remorseful and has expressed regret. He wished for Indranuj’s speedy recovery. He said that he and his wife are deeply distressed. He also said that Indranuj is like his son,” Amit Roy, the student’s father, told reporters. He stated that his family appreciated the minister’s gesture and refrained from demanding his resignation, while emphasising that elders must be tolerant when youths make mistakes.
During the chaos Saturday, another student allegedly sustained injuries after a car belonging to TMC-affiliated professor Om Prakash Mishra allegedly ran over his foot. Even Basu himself sustained injuries when his car’s windshield was damaged during the protest.
“It’s not that there wasn’t politics before,” Trinanjana Nashkar, a 3rd-year history student, told The Indian Express. “Everyone knows about politics in Jadavpur University,” Nashkar said and recalled that parents would advise “don’t get into politics there”.
“The students had a basic demand that there should be student elections. That demand would result in this (the clash) was completely unexpected. Many things have come up in social media against JU but it won’t affect the career of the students. Even though there is politics, students study here and JU is a premier institution,” Nashkar asserted.
Classes are going on but most of the students are not attending, said a third-year student of Bengali Disha Jha. “Certainly these issues will affect the careers (of students) but the demands are very basic.”
Following a general body meeting Monday night, students set a 24-hour deadline for Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta to return to campus and address their demands, warning of intensified protests if he fails to do so. Gupta, however, has not yet returned to campus. Sources said he is unwell, with fluctuating blood pressure, and has been advised to rest at home.
SFI state committee incharge of Jadavpur University, Subhadip Bandhopadhyay told The Indian Express that “its (the atmosphere) calm but students are not attending classes and even if they go for the classes, they are not marking attendance. We had a few demands. First, announce student elections immediately. Second, the university has to file a formal police complaint against Bratya (Basu) and other hooligans. Third, the police should arrest Bratya Basu and he should resign. Fourth, false FIRs against students must be withdrawn . Fifth, the university authorities have to bear the entire treatment cost and legal expenses of the injured students.”
“We have protested against atrocities… the state government and university authorities are creating the problems,” said Bandhopadhyay, adding, “No (students) union elections for five years, funds have been cut, and fans and lights don’t work. Right-wing politics is trying to make an entry.”
Sayak Chakraborty, unit president, TMCP Jadavpur, demanded that law and order be restored on the campus and expressed concerns over the safety of not just students but professors as well.
“Three years ago, I joined this university with hopes and dreams. But in the past three years, I have seen Left-leaning students disturbing and destroying the educational system on the campus,” said Chakraborty, a third-year student of International Relations. “There are only four cameras at the entry gates, which means there is no vigilance inside. We all are concerned about our safety… even the professors live in similar fear.”
“The day the education minister came for a meeting, members of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parisad met him. SFI also submitted a deputation, and the minister agreed to meet them. We have seen how he was attacked… We demand that law and order be restored on the campus,” he said.
ABVP media convenor Debanjan Paul said, “The conflict between ABVP and members of SFI and AIDSO took place because ABVP’s Jadavpur University Unit had organised a procession to protest against the strike called by SFI. We were outside the University gates. We were constantly provoked, our flags were snatched from karyakartas. The karyakartas climbed on the gates to place the flag and in the meantime, the police and the RAF had arrived and began arresting our karyakartas. We condemn this .”
Meanwhile, another PIL was filed in the Calcutta High Court Tuesday seeking directions to ensure safety and security of students.