Bengal education minister injured, car vandalised in Jadavpur University brawl
Kolkata: A violent confrontation erupted at Jadavpur University (JU) on Saturday during the annual general meeting of the West Bengal College and University Professors' Association (WBCUPA), leaving state Education Minister Bratya Basu injured. The minister, who was the chief guest at the event, was caught in the middle of a massive student protest, during which his vehicle was allegedly vandalised. He was later admitted to the trauma care centre of the state-run SSKM Hospital.
Protest escalates into violence
The unrest was led by members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPM, along with other left-wing organisations, who were demanding immediate elections for the students' union. The protestors blocked the university’s main gate upon learning of Basu’s visit, forcing him to enter through an alternative route. However, tensions flared after his arrival on campus.
While addressing the agitated students, Basu assured them he would end his speech with a “cool mind”, but the situation quickly spiralled out of control. As he attempted to leave, a mob of around 100 students reportedly surrounded his convoy, releasing air from the tyres, smashing the rearview mirror, and breaking the windshield. Some climbed atop the car while others allegedly showed him their shoes in protest.
Minister injured, admitted to hospital
Amid the scuffle, Basu's wristwatch snapped and fell to the ground, and he reportedly suffered gashes on his left hand from broken glass. He later complained of uneasiness and underwent an X-ray at SSKM Hospital. “I have undergone an X-ray test as I felt pain in my chest. However, doctors told me there was no serious injury. There were some external marks on the upper part of my body but these are not serious,” Basu told reporters.
His security personnel struggled to escort him safely out of the campus, and despite repeated attempts to negotiate with the protestors, the situation remained tense. Some left-wing student leaders, meanwhile, claimed that two of their activists were injured when a car from the minister’s convoy ran over their ankles, requiring hospitalisation.
War of words between SFI and TMC
Basu accused the protestors of attempting to create “chaos and lawlessness” instead of engaging in a constructive dialogue. “I was ready to talk to the protesting students. Even the SFI handed over a memorandum to me, but when I was about to board the car again, over 100 protestors turned aggressive and surrounded me. I was ready to speak to five representatives even in the presence of the vice-chancellor, but they did not want constructive dialogue. They wanted chaos and lawlessness. They tried to attack my vehicle,” he said.
He also alleged that the demonstration was not entirely led by the SFI but included other ultra-left groups active on the campus. “Today those who had protested against saffronisation of the country, those who made tall claims about fighting for democracy, fighting against fascism, today joined hands with fascist forces to demonstrate against me and members of the teaching community just because we did not succumb to their pressure tactics, their intimidatory tactics,” he added.
SFI leader Kaushiki Bhattacharya, however, refuted these allegations, claiming that the students only wanted a discussion regarding the students' union elections. “We did not resort to violence. It is the TMC outsiders who joined some of their sympathisers on the campus to attack our activists and use abusive language against us,” she said.
Aftermath and police complaint
Following the incident, WBCUPA representatives filed a complaint against the student organisations at the Jadavpur police station. Police confirmed that Basu’s car was able to leave the campus through an alternative exit, but tensions remained high.
After the minister’s departure, a section of students allegedly tore down banners and festoons put up for the WBCUPA event, heckled senior faculty members, and vandalised the TMC teachers' wing cell, even setting furniture on fire. The SFI protestors also blocked a major road near the Jadavpur police station and the 8B bus terminus for about an hour before commuters intervened.
TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh condemned the incident, calling it a “planned attack” by left and ultra-left elements. “It was a planned attack on a minister by left ultra-left elements who only want to create chaos. What would have happened if the windshield and rearview mirror had come off and grievously injured the minister who was sitting on the front seat next to the driver? Our patience and tolerance should not be mistaken as weakness by those who are behind such attacks,” he said after visiting Basu at the hospital.
(With inputs from PTI)