Who represents govt: Queries on JU campus after BJP seniors’ comments
Times of India | 24 August 2026
Kolkata: Professors and students at Jadavpur University have called the govt’s differing voices on the institution confusing, and described the branding of the entire university as “anti-national” as unfortunate.
Associate professor of the electrical engineering dept Arindam Kumar Sil said. “The govt is for, by, and of the people. JU is a state govt institution. From its convocation to various programmes, it operates on govt orders. Such differing voices create fragmentation. There should be some clarity from the govt.”
Sil added, “The head of the state govt is the CM, representing the entire state, irrespective of the party in office or the opposition. This creates a fragmentation. We hope there is a unified govt statement.”
Philosophy professor Maushumi Guha said, “JU is my alma mater. I left everything behind to come and teach at JU. I am really confused and upset over these different voices and the purpose behind this.”
After CM Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday alleged that “tukde tukde gangs, who are anti-nationals and jihadis, don’t even allow chanting of Vande Mataram or hoisting of the national flag inside JU,” many JU professors took to social media and posted pictures of hoisting National Flag, videos of students and teachers singing National Anthem and Vande Mataram.
However, municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul struck a conciliatory note and remarked that damage caused to the JU emblem cannot be accepted. Finance minister Swapan Dasgupta on Friday said a student agitation should not be hijacked by people who are professional politicians.
A senior official said, “There is a misconception that there is an anti-national presence in the university. Governor R N Ravi himself attended the 150th celebrations of Vande Mataram and the song was sung. All events that were communicated from the higher education dept such as Paschimbanga Dibas were observed. We hoisted our National Flag on Aug 15 and celebrated Sri Aurobindo’s birthday. Such different voices from the state govt hurts and creates confusion not only among stakeholders but also beyond the JU community.”
A JUTA press statement read, “JU was born as a legacy of the freedom movement. This university is a symbol of national heritage and dignity. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect it. The university celebrates Independence Day and Republic Day in accordance with national traditions. Since its inception, chanting Vedic mantras and singing Vande Mataram and the National Anthem at the convocation ceremony has been our tradition.”
SFI, JU local committee in an open letter to CM invited him to the campus to exchange views. “The information that is being provided to the CM is false hence we have urged him to come one day and let’s have a healthy debate where we can exchange views,” said SFI, JU local committee secretary Abhinaba Basu.
On the CM’s claim about the presence of “anti-national elements” on campus, the SFI said there may be ideological differences between various student organisations, but when it comes to love for the country, there is no disagreement and there has been no difference. “Nobody can question our love for the country,” it asserted.