Jadavpur University Violence: Students Demand Probe Into Alleged Insider Role in Campus Attack

Students and faculty members at Jadavpur University (JU) have demanded a comprehensive investigation into the alleged role of insiders who may have helped outsiders enter the campus during an early Thursday morning incident of violence and vandalism.

The demand followed the emergence of CCTV footage from Gate No. 4, which reportedly showed a group entering the university premises through an already-open gate at around 12.37 am. Students have alleged that the attackers received assistance from people familiar with the campus and called for all individuals identified in connection with the incident to be investigated.

CCTV Footage Raises Questions

The footage also reportedly showed former JU Vice-Chancellor Buddhadeb Sau entering the campus through a side gate around the same time and remaining near Gate 4 while the mob was allegedly vandalising parts of the university.

A photograph circulating on social media purportedly showed Sau speaking with ABVP central working committee member Subhabrata Adhikary near Gate 4 at around 1.07 am.

Students also claimed that a current student and a research scholar were visible during the incident.

The attackers allegedly tore down and burned flags and posters belonging to left-wing student organisations, attempted to remove graffiti near the PG Science building and burned a banner outside Aurobindo Bhavan, the university's main administrative building. Students sheltering inside the campus were also allegedly targeted. The group later reportedly attempted to break open the gates of the Main Hostel near Jadavpur Police Station.

Students Seek Accountability

English department student Udita Bedajna said students had suspected insider involvement from the beginning and now want authorities to identify anyone who may have facilitated the entry of outsiders.

She said the investigation should cover everyone identified in connection with the incident, including former university officials, students, research scholars and security personnel. She also called for scrutiny of organisations with which the individuals are affiliated, if their involvement is established.

Former VC Buddhadeb Sau, however, denied being involved in the vandalism. He said his presence in CCTV footage did not establish participation in the violence and accused some people of attempting to create a false narrative against him.

Sau said he had gone to the police station with MLA Sarbari Mukherjee and subsequently entered the campus through Gate 4, where police personnel were present. He claimed he had urged police to deploy additional personnel because he was concerned about a possible escalation.

Adhikary also denied any involvement in the violence or vandalism, saying he went to the campus after learning about the situation to ensure that no untoward incident occurred.

A JU research scholar associated with ABVP, who was reportedly visible on campus during the incident, also denied being part of the mob.

Faculty and Students Demand Impartial Probe

Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA) president Partha Pratim Ray said that if allegations against Sau are established, he should be brought within the scope of the investigation and prevented from influencing the probe.

International Relations student Tirtharaj Bardhan called for an impartial investigation by both the police and university authorities.

With competing claims emerging over who facilitated the entry of outsiders, students and faculty members are now seeking a thorough and independent investigation based on CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and other available evidence.