Students’ stir halts JU mass comm guest faculty interviews
Times of India | 12 March 2026
Kolkata: Agitation by a section of JU mass communication PG students on Tuesday forced authorities to cancel the walk-in interview process to engage guest faculty. The interviews were on for mass communication and journalism in the adult, continuing education & extension department. Teachers said cancellations due to students' protests is "unfortunate" and "affects the perception of the university".
The students protested against inducting Santwan Chattopadhyay on the interview panel as he was one of the professors against whom allegations were made for awarding marks without checking papers in 2024. "Chattopadhyay's inclusion on the panel raises concerns regarding impartiality of the process," one of the protesting students said.
A candidate said, "It was disappointing because many of us took leave for this."
Chattopadhyay said, "The constitution of the panel is a confidential matter, and the university decides its members. Divulging the names of the members is unfortunate, and disciplinary action must be initiated." JUTA assistant general secretary Rajyeswar Sinha said, "Such behaviour by some students affects the perception of the university.
TOI's calls to VC Chiranjib Bhattacharjee went unanswered.