
At least five police complaints have been filed after Saturday's violence at Jadavpur University. Tensions ran high on campus after student activists, mostly from Left-affiliated groups, organized a protest against West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu, resulting in violent clashes and vandalism of his vehicle. The protest, which was over demands for early student union elections, turned ugly as protesters gheraoed the minister and vandalized his car.
The event took place when Basu came to the university campus for attending the WBCUPA annual general body meeting. In the reports, it is claimed that student activists belonging to SFI and AISA opposed the minister, let the tyres down of his vehicle, and, according to their allegations, destroyed the windscreen and rear mirror of the same.
After the attack, Basu was taken away in the company of security personnel amid growing tensions. Although attempts were made to meet with the students, the minister was mobbed by almost 100 protesters who hurled footwear at his vehicle, damaging the vehicle further.
Within minutes of his departure from the campus, Basu was taken to SSKM Hospital, where he lodged a complaint of discomfort and received treatment for cuts on his left hand.
WBCUPA condemns 'lumpenism'
Responding sharply to the mayhem, the WBCUPA supported by Trinamool Congress condemned the protest as "lumpenism." Syed Tanveer Nasreen, a WBCUPA associate secretary, said in an interview with PTI that the activists had "disturbed the peaceful environment of the campus" and "illegally intervened in the democratic process of a teachers' body."
"They entered the meeting room where professors from all over the state had convened. The conduct of these students is unacceptable and entirely out of character for genuine students," Nasreen said.
JU senior professor Omprakash Mishra alleged that he was manhandled and heckled by some of the protesters, adding to worries regarding campus safety.
The Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA) issued a statement contradicting WBCUPA's response, accusing fans of the ruling party of adding to the violence.
"Whereas students were calling for a prompt announcement of dates of union elections, some outside elements belonging to the ruling party committed a rampage on campus," said JUTA General Secretary Partha Pratim Roy. JUTA also claimed that in the course of the disturbances, the minister's car overran a first-year student, Ramanuj, leaving him seriously injured.
The All Bengal University Teachers' Association (ABUTA) also voiced similar concerns, calling for an immediate action from the university authorities. "We condemn both the campus lawlessness and the minister's car reckless act of injuring a student. The Vice Chancellor should take immediate action, and the student should be given proper medical attention," ABUTA said.
Published: 02 Mar 2025, 11:03 am IST
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get Latest Mathrubhumi Updates in English
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.

