Minister, academics bat for ex-Jadavpur University interim VC in convocation fight
Times of India | 31 March 2025
123 Kolkata: Academicians, former vice-chancellors, the state education minister on Sunday spoke strongly against the "David versus Goliath" battle panning out at Jadavpur University after Governor CV Ananda Bose used his constitutional authority to first remove Bhaskar Gupta, as the interim VC, four days ahead of his retirement on Monday.
Governor Bose, also the university chancellor, not only removed Gupta but threatened him with legal action if he did not refund the JU convocation expenses and report its compliance immediately. Gupta on Sunday stood his ground. "Convocation is the right of the student that we cannot take away from them, as it is their right and it's our duty to conduct it. So, the students' interest should always be our first priority. This kind of demand is absurd, and I will not send any reply to the letter," he told ToI, a day before his retirement.
"The University and students have always been my life's first priority. I don't think I need to reply to the letter since we were in constant touch with the state govt at the time of the convocation held on December 24," he said, adding, "I feel pained dealing with bitterness at the last leg of my service, and it's my dream to see this institute as the centre of excellence where such a deadlock situation is not expected. I hope these issues will be eased soon."
State education minister Bratya Basu speaking to reporters took a jibe at Raj Bhawan, "He (the governor) asked for the repayment from the vice-chancellor whom he himself removed."
Former Vice Chancellor Sabyasachi Basu Roychoudhury said, "Every university must follow certain procedures to use allocated funds for holding a convocation. This should not be a matter of a prestige fight when serving students' interests is the first priority for every Vice Chancellor. If this matter is used in such a manner, it will be detrimental to the education system."
Another former Vice Chancellor, who doesn't want to be named, said, "I never heard of any chancellor sending a letter to a vice chancellor before releasing them from their position to pay from their pocket only to harass a person who doesn't have any locus standi. This is a byproduct of the ongoing conflict between the state and the Raj Bhavan, where academicians are dragged into it. This should be stopped immediately." However, former interim Vice Chancellor of JU, Buddhadev Sau, who had faced near similar predicament before felt Gupta should send a letter to the Raj Bhavan explaining the matter.
Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA) General Secretary Partha Pratim Ray said, "The convocation was conducted according to the university's regulations for the benefit of the students. The expenses were covered by the convocation budget, which was approved by the university's finance committee and executive council. Therefore, there was no illegal activity involved." Calcutta University Teachers' Association's (CUTA) General Secretary Sanatan Chottopadhyay said, "Such pseudo-politics and the culture of unnecessary power display are contrary to education."
Om Prakash Mishra, former Vice Chancellor and senior professor of JU, said, "Raj Bhavan illegally accrued the supreme authority to appoint the vice chancellor, and he is practising double standards. This is unnecessarily irrational. It also demonstrates how the Chancellor is attempting to ruin higher education in our state."
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Twist and Turns—
The Chancellor removed interim Vice Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta on Friday. Gupta was appointed by the Chancellor on April 20, 2024, to exercise the powers and perform the duties of VC JU.
On Saturday, a letter was given by the Raj Bhavan asking for the repayment of funds expended by the interim VC to conduct the convocation, which was termed as illegal.
Gupta is scheduled to retire on Monday. He has made it clear the Raj Bhawan demands are absurd and illegal and no VC can be faulted for prioritising student interests. He says convocation is a right of students.
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