1 week ago
Jadavpur University Probe Loses Members as Police Seek CCTV
Jadavpur University formed a committee to find out what happened during clashes between ABVP and SFI.
Two people connected to the committee have now resigned.
Goswami said he could not serve because of his other university responsibilities.
Sarkar resigned earlier after a teachers’ organisation objected to his past association with the West Bengal Central School Service Commission.
The clashes started late on August 19 or early on August 20, and protest rallies followed.
Police are collecting camera footage and may speak with campus security guards.
They are also checking whether outsiders or organised planning were involved.
A retired High Court judge will now lead the inquiry, while ABVP supporters are demanding a national agency investigate the incident.
Arunasis Goswami resigned from Jadavpur University’s inquiry panel, citing administrative and other responsibilities at Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University.
His resignation followed chairman Shubha Shankar Sarkar’s departure after objections from the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh.
The clashes began late on August 19 or in the early hours of August 20, followed by ABVP and SFI rallies.
Police have filed multiple cases, sought CCTV footage, and are examining allegations of arson, vandalism, intimidation, outside involvement, and organised planning.
Retired Calcutta High Court judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee was appointed the panel’s new chief, with its first meeting scheduled for Thursday.
- Who
- Jadavpur University authorities, police, the inquiry committee, ABVP, SFI, and protesting students are involved; Arunasis Goswami and Shubha Shankar Sarkar resigned from the panel.
- What
- The university is investigating clashes and alleged campus vandalism while police pursue multiple cases and seek CCTV evidence.
- Where
- Jadavpur University in Kolkata, West Bengal, with related tensions reported at Presidency University, Calcutta University, and Medinipur College.
- When
- The clashes occurred late on August 19 and during August 20 rallies; reports place Goswami’s resignation on Tuesday or Wednesday, while Sarkar resigned on August 24.
- Why
- The inquiry and police investigation aim to determine what caused the clashes, identify participants, and examine allegations involving arson, vandalism, intimidation, outsiders, and possible organised planning.
Institutional Investigation
Student and Organisational Demands
Scope of the probe
Institutional Investigation
Police and university authorities are examining alleged arson, vandalism, intimidation, forced entry, outsiders’ involvement, and possible planning or instigation.
Student and Organisational Demands
ABVP says its supporters were assaulted during an SFI-linked general body meeting and has demanded that the National Investigation Agency take over the investigation.
Inquiry committee changes
Institutional Investigation
Jadavpur University appointed retired judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee as the new committee chief after two members resigned.
Student and Organisational Demands
Sarkar’s resignation followed objections from the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh, while Goswami cited his administrative responsibilities.
Campus response
Institutional Investigation
Police are seeking CCTV footage and may question security guards to establish who was on campus and whether outsiders entered.
Student and Organisational Demands
Students said some demands remained unresolved and warned of a larger agitation if their demands and campus-security concerns were not addressed.
Key facts
- University
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- Student groups
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI)
- Clash timing
- Late August 19 or early August 20, followed by rallies on August 20
- Panel resignations
- Arunasis Goswami and chairman Shubha Shankar Sarkar
- New panel chief
- Retired Calcutta High Court judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee
- Police action
- At least four FIRs were filed, and police sought CCTV footage covering the meeting and subsequent rallies
- ABVP demand
- A National Investigation Agency takeover of the probe
Quotes
University official
An unnamed official who provided information about Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya’s injuries.
“Some of our demands were accepted. But several are still pending… The first meeting of the investigation committee is on the 27th. That will be our focus. If our demands are not met and security is not ensured, we will launch a larger agitation”
indianexpress.com
“His right knee and the ligament of his left leg were injured. Thus he has been advised complete bed rest”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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