JU students set to return to classes, take exams from Mon
Times of India | 9 March 2025
Kolkata: Jadavpur University students from all the three arts, science and engineering faculties signalled they would return to classes from Monday, following an all-faculty general body meeting on Saturday. Earlier, interim vice-chancellor Bhaskar Gupta, from his hospital bed, had appealed to students to restore academic normalcy on the campus.
A clash broke out at JU last Saturday, when higher education minister Bratya Basu visited the campus and students demanded union elections. Some students, including first-year's Indranuj Roy, were injured.
After a week-long protest and class and exam boycott, all faculty students attended the general body meeting to discuss the next course of action. The majority at the meeting said they wanted to attend classes from Monday. Abhinaba Basu, a comparative literature PG student, said, "There was no class boycott call at the meeting. It was said that those who were not attending classes should return to classes from Monday and appear for exams. But there was an appeal not to register attendance to show solidarity with the injured, including Indranuj." Abhinaba was also injured in the scuffle.
The resolve to return to classes came with a rider. "The university authorities should speak to us on Monday before 1 pm on the withdrawal of false cases registered against some students and resolve other issues. Otherwise, we will be compelled to call for an administrative shutdown. This will not result in an academic loss in terms of attending classes and exams," Abhinaba said. Engineering student Debarghya Josh also demanded the withdrawal of false cases. "Students have decided to return to classes and appear for exams from Monday. But the university authorities, on their part, should ensure the false cases are withdrawn at the earliest," he said.
Four student representatives, including Abhinaba and Debarghya, visited interim VC Gupta in hospital.
Earlier in the day, Gupta had issued an appeal, addressed to "beloved students". He urged all stakeholders to take initiatives to restore "normalcy" in the "greater" interest of the university. The statement said, "Let democracy prevail and all issues be resolved through dialogues." Gupta expressed his sympathy and sent across well wishes to the injured students. "Let justice prevail. I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate turn of events on March 1 and wish well for all injured, physically and mentally," the statement said.
Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA) issued a statement, urging students to return to classes. JUTA general secretary and physics professor Partha Pratim Ray said, "We asked the authorities to open a dialogue with students. We urged students to return to classes and attend exams."
Engineering students said they would speak to officials on Monday to reschedule the UG and PG exams that students had boycotted.
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