Jadavpur University students reportedly refused permission to celebrate Ram Navami on campus

The Jadavpur University students in Kolkata were reportedly refused permission to celebrate Ram Navami on the university campus. The students claimed that the vice chancellor's absence was the reason for refusing them permission.

Somsurya Banerjee, a Jadavpur University student, informed ANI that a delegation of students had formally requested on March 28 to hold Ram Navami celebrations. He stated that they received a written rejection from the university explaining that the request could not be granted when the Vice Chancellor was not present.

"On 28th March, we sent a letter to the university on behalf of General students of JU requesting permission (for Ram Navami Celebrations); today, we got a signed copy from the university saying that they cannot give the permission since the VC is away", he said.

Banerjee also accused inconsistency in the university's handling, noting that a political programme by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) was allowed on April 3 and 4, also in the absence of the VC.

"Likewise on April 3 and 4 - SFI organized a political programme, but that also without the VC present, but with permission. Every religious activity such as 'iftaar' used to be organised here on the university campus but none of us raised any objections to it. We have made intimation to the university as well as an e-mail to the police stating that we would celebrate Ram Navami peacefully. We hope all the student unions and the admin will respect and cooperate in our celebrations.", he added.

Previously, West Bengal assembly opposition leader and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari condemned Mamata Government and accused them of stopping the people from celebrating Ram Navami.

"It's our constitutional right to celebrate religious festivals, but the police of Mamata Banerjee is deterring us. We need to approach the High Court and Supreme Court over each matter," he added.