TMCP sees conspiracy in exam schedule clash with its foundation day
The Statesman | 27 July 2025
Trinamul Congress’ student wing, Trinamul Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), on Saturday criticised the University of Calcutta’s decision to hold undergraduate exams on 28 July, the day the students celebrate its foundation day.
The university has scheduled BA LLB semester 4 and B.Com semester 4 exams on Monday.
The Trinamul Congress leadership had blamed the Union government over the development.
In a social media post, TMCP state president Trinankur Bhattacharjee alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to stop the students’ outside to hold its foundation day programme at the behest of the central government.
Like every year, chief minister and Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, along with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee addresses student leaders on the day.
“A deep conspiracy has been hatched to stop today’s student and youth society who are inspired by the ideals of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee,” Bhattacharya wrote.
“On 28 August, the foundation day of the Trinamul Chhatra Parishad, Calcutta University, has suddenly announced the exam schedule for B.Com Semester 4 and B.A.LLB Semester 4 and the time has been given exactly from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — this is not an ordinary academic decision. This makes it clear that it is a political ploy to obstruct the democratic rights of students and act at the behest of Delhi,” Trinankur said.
The students’ body also wrote a letter to Calcutta University’s interim vice-chancellor expressing a strong objection to the university’s decision to hold the exam.
The letter read: “The decision to hold exams on this day is not only disrespectful but also appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine the sentiments of students associated with TMCP. We demand an immediate rescheduling of the examinations fixed on that day.”
“We seek a fair and immediate intervention from your end to ensure that the examination date is rescheduled so that students are not forced to compromise on either front. Hoping for a prompt and just response,” read the letter.
The TMCP state president further said that this decision was putting not only the students who support the Trinamul Chhatra Parishad, but also all ordinary students in extreme difficulty, as they would find it difficult to commute that day due to large gatherings. He claimed that Calcutta University’s interim vice chancellor had taken this to serve her political interests and hence the development was extremely unfortunate, anti-democratic, and condemnable.”
Interim vice-chancellor of the University of Calcutta, Shanta Dutta, however, dismissed the TMCP’s allegation and said examination dates were announced in advance.
“The university does not hold exams only on public holidays. It is not possible to hold exams keeping in mind the dates of every political event. Therefore, this allegation is completely baseless,” the vice-chancellor said.