5 hrs ago
West Bengal Bill Sparks Clash Over University Transfers, Left Politics
The West Bengal Assembly discussed a bill about moving university employees between institutions.
Suvendu Adhikari supported the bill and criticized the Left parties.
He said experienced teachers could be sent to universities that need more help.
The higher education minister said some newer universities do not have permanent teachers.
He argued that sharing staff would make universities more equal.
CPI(M) MLA Mustafizur Rahman disagreed with the bill.
He said it could let the government control universities and weaken their independence.
The politicians also argued about slogans related to Durga Puja, Palestine, and Left politics.
Suvendu Adhikari attacked CPI(M) politics during debate on a West Bengal university administration amendment bill.
The bill would allow the state government to transfer employees between universities.
The government said transfers would share expertise and reduce disparities between stronger and weaker universities.
CPI(M) MLA Mustafizur Rahman said the measure would curb university autonomy and diminish education quality.
The debate also included disputes over the terms “Durga Puja” and “Sharodotsav,” Palestine slogans, and Left politics.
- Who
- Suvendu Adhikari, Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay, and CPI(M) MLA Mustafizur Rahman were central speakers; teachers’ associations and academics also opposed the bill.
- What
- The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill was debated, alongside political disputes over university autonomy and Left slogans.
- Where
- The West Bengal Assembly, with references to universities including Jadavpur University and institutions in Jhargram and Cooch Behar.
- When
- Thursday, during the Assembly debate; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Why
- The government said the bill would enable staff transfers, share expertise, and reduce disparities among universities; the CPI(M) said it would curb university autonomy and could be used for political control.
Government and Bill Supporters
CPI(M) and Critics
University transfers
Government and Bill Supporters
The government said transferring experienced employees between universities would share expertise, strengthen weaker institutions, and reduce disparities.
CPI(M) and Critics
Mustafizur Rahman said the measure was intended to control a particular university and would undermine university autonomy and education quality.
Government control
Government and Bill Supporters
Jagannath Chattopadhyay said the government was not seeking to control universities and promised the bill would not be misused.
CPI(M) and Critics
Rahman argued that the bill was part of an attempt to curb Left parties politically and could be used to interfere in universities.
Political and cultural slogans
Government and Bill Supporters
Adhikari criticized the use of “Sharodotsav” instead of “Durga Puja” and said slogans such as “Free Palestine” would receive a political response.
CPI(M) and Critics
Rahman said “Free Palestine” slogans would continue because, in his view, the country supports Palestine, and he referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s position on the issue.
Key facts
- Bill
- West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill
- Proposed power
- The state government would be empowered to transfer employees from one university to another.
- Government rationale
- Ministers said transfers could use strong universities’ expertise to improve weaker institutions.
- Staffing claim
- Jagannath Chattopadhyay said nine universities established during the Trinamool Congress period had no permanent faculty.
- Opposition criticism
- Mustafizur Rahman said the bill would curb university autonomy and diminish education quality.
- Historical reference
- Adhikari referred to the 1970 murder of former Jadavpur University vice-chancellor Gopal Sen.
- Other disputes
- The debate included criticism of the term “Sharodotsav,” references to “Free Palestine,” and attacks on Left parties.
Quotes
Mustafizur Rahman
The lone CPI(M) MLA in the West Bengal Assembly
“The chief minister can issue threats against writing ‘Free Palestine’…we will write such slogans again and again because our country supports Palestine. I think he has not heard what former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said on the issue.”
indianexpress.com
“If you don’t like your transfer order, there is a way out. You can quit the job and become a party wholetimer with a “jhola” (bag) on your shoulder and sell Ganashakti”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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