Syama Prasad, Aurobindo, Ramakrishna, Sarada & Bankim debut in JU VC’s cabin
Times of India | 12 May 2026
Kolkata: Images of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Aurobindo Ghosh, Bankim Chandra Chattapadhyay, Maa Sarada, Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda were installed in the Jadavpur University VC's office on Monday. A photograph of Rabindranath Tagore has been retained in the room.
Around 50 members of West Bengal University Karmachari Parishad held a rally on JU campus, celebrating BJP's poll win and raised "nationalist" slogans with saffron flags.
VC Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said, "There is no political connection to putting up the images. This is purely personal. I received the pictures of Ramakrishna, Maa Sarada and Swami Vivekananda at a conference a few days ago. So, I thought of putting them up on the walls as some civil work was being done at my office. Pictures of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Aurobindo Ghosh and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay have also been hung. There is also a photograph of Rabindranath Tagore."
A teacher said, "Throughout the state, there is a rush to change ‘colours' and ‘camps'. Maybe here, we are seeing its reflection."
Engineering student Somsurya Banerjee said, "This indicates that JU, known for its left and ultra-left politics, is finally changing its political stance to nationalist ideology with nationalist govt in power."
Another engineering student, Sabyasachi Sen, said, "Putting up photographs of Mookerjee, who was the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, whom BJP has invoked in this election to awaken nationalist narrative, and others has raised questions about the university's independent spirit."
A video went viral of ABVP supporters forcing Vidyasagar University VC Dipak Kar's to chant "Jai Shri Ram" in his chamber. TOI tried to speak to the VC, but he did not answer the call. Ananta Barui, state media coordinator of ABVP, denied the allegations.