Congress workers hold protest at Jadavpur University to demand student union elections

A minister's visit to Jadavpur University had turned into anarchy that resulted in two students being injured when days later there erupted fresh violence following clashes at one of the university entrances among members of two student unions.

Entering through gate 4 of the university, one observed that student unions made their voices and demonstrations louder through posters as students asserted that many are boycotting classes; others are going to class but are not marking themselves present.

Anamika Saren, a 4th-year engineering student, informed The Indian Express that the chaos on Saturday has made the students question whether they are secure. "The manner in which the Education Minister departed the campus without addressing the students, another student getting grazed by the convoy was never anticipated. We were stunned. We are traumatized… As a student, we never anticipated this. We do not feel secure," Saren stated.

Education Minister Bratya Basu had come to the JU campus on March 1 but an effort was made by Left-wing students to stop him from leaving, seeking talks on how student union elections are being conducted that have not taken place in years.

The heated exchange turned into a scuffle, injuring a student Indranuj Roy, after the convoy of the minister allegedly brushed past him amidst the scuffle.

On Tuesday, Basu called up Roy's family in person and apologized for the incident. "The education minister telephoned me. He is sorry and apologized. He wished for Indranuj's quick recovery. He told me that he and his wife are extremely upset. He also said that Indranuj is his son," Amit Roy, the student's father, said in a report. He said his family valued the gesture of the minister and did not insist on his resignation, while pointing out that elders should be patient when youths err.

In the Saturday mayhem, another student was reportedly injured after a car owned by TMC-allied professor Om Prakash Mishra reportedly ran over his foot. Even Basu himself was injured when the windshield of his car was smashed during the protest.

“It’s not that there wasn’t politics before,” Trinanjana Nashkar, a 3rd-year history student, told The Indian Express. “Everyone knows about politics in Jadavpur University,” Nashkar said and recalled that parents would advise “don’t get into politics there”.

The students had a basic demand that there should be student elections. That demand would result in this (the clash) was completely unexpected…

— Trinanjana Nashkar, 3rd-year history student at JU

"The students had a simple demand that there should be student elections. That demand would lead to this (the clash) was totally unexpected. Many things have emerged on social media against JU but it won't impact the career of the students. Despite there being politics, students study here and JU is a premier institution," Nashkar asserted.

The classes are taking place but none of the students are attending, stated a third-year student of Bengali Disha Jha. "Of course these problems will impact the careers (of students) but the demands are very fundamental."

After a general body meeting last Monday evening, the students handed down a 24-hour ultimatum to Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta to come back to the campus and finalize their demands, threatening strengthened protests in case he does not comply. Gupta has not yet returned to the campus, however. He is reported by sources to be ill, with unstable blood pressure, and his doctors have instructed him to rest at home.

SFI state committee member responsible for Jadavpur University, Subhadip Bandhopadhyay informed The Indian Express that "its (the atmosphere) peaceful but students are not coming to classes and even if they attend the classes, they are not taking attendance. We had some demands. First, declare student elections at once. Second, the university must lodge a formal police complaint against Bratya (Basu) and other goons.". Third, Bratya Basu should be arrested and he should quit. Fourth, the false FIRs filed against students should be withdrawn. Fifth, the cost of treatment of injured students and their legal expenses should be borne by the university authorities.

"We have demonstrated against atrocities… the state government and varsity authorities are making the issues," stated Bandhopadhyay, further adding, "No (students) union polls in five years, funds have been slashed, fans and lights don't function. Right-wing politics is attempting to make a foray."

Sayak Chakraborty, president of the unit, TMCP Jadavpur, has called for law and order on the campus and demanded how safe the campus is not only for students but also for the teachers.

"Three years ago, I came to this university with dreams and aspirations. But over the past three years, I have witnessed Left-leaning students disrupting and destroying the academic system in the campus," said Chakraborty, who is in the third year of International Relations. "There are just four cameras at the gates, so there is no watchfulness within. We all are worried about our security… even the teachers reside in the same fear."

"On the day the education minister visited for a meeting, members of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parisad greeted him. SFI had also given a deputation and the minister has promised to see them. We have witnessed how he was assaulted… We call for law and order to be restored on campus," he declared.

ABVP media convenor Debanjan Paul explained, "The fight between ABVP and SFI and AIDSO members occurred because ABVP Jadavpur University Unit had organized a procession protesting the strike organized by SFI. We were outside the University gate. We were goaded continuously, our flags were stolen from karyakartas.". The karyakartas climbed onto the gates to fix the flag and meanwhile the police and the RAF had come and started arresting our karyakartas. We condemn this ."

Meantime, a PIL was moved in the Calcutta High Court Tuesday seeking orders for providing safety and security for students.