Kolkata: A section of Jadavpur University students reopened the common room inside the Arts Faculty Union Room, terming it ‘reclaiming the union room' on Monday. The university has three union rooms for three faculties — engineering, science, and arts — which are also used as recreational spaces or common rooms, as JU does not have any separate concept of common rooms.
On July 3, the Calcutta High Court ordered the closure of union rooms in all colleges and universities in the state. However, the court did not order the closure of common rooms intended for student recreation. A sociology department student on Monday said, "We are not responsible for the lack of union elections. Union is our right, so we demanded the reopening of the Arts Faculty Union Room. The authorities have reopened the common room of the union room as it is used for recreational activities.
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An official said, "The room that was opened on Monday is not a union room. It is a common room inside the Arts Faculty Students' Union room. We will create a separate entrance.
" He added that the university decided to keep the union rooms under lock and key but the recreational spaces open, such as the table tennis room inside the science and engineering faculty union rooms. They also have separate entrances.