1 week ago
Jadavpur University Probe Chief Declines Role After Campus Clashes
Two student groups, SFI and ABVP, fought at Jadavpur University.
The university created a committee to find out what happened.
Subha Shankar Sarkar was chosen to lead it.
He later told the university that he did not want to take the job.
A teachers’ organization had also criticized his appointment.
A university source said Sarkar’s refusal came before that criticism was formally made.
The university may now choose a new leader or create a new committee.
A decision could be announced on Monday.
Jadavpur University formed a three-member committee to investigate clashes between SFI and ABVP groups.
Former Netaji Subhas Open University vice-chancellor Subha Shankar Sarkar was nominated to lead the panel.
Sarkar emailed the university on Saturday evening saying he was unwilling to take charge.
ABRSM had objected to Sarkar’s appointment, citing his reported connection to teacher-recruitment cases.
The university may replace Sarkar or appoint an entirely new panel, with a decision expected Monday.
- Who
- Jadavpur University, SFI and ABVP student groups, the proposed committee members, and ABRSM are involved.
- What
- A proposed probe committee chief declined to lead an investigation into two campus clashes.
- Where
- Jadavpur University campus in Kolkata.
- When
- The clashes occurred overnight between Wednesday and Thursday and again Thursday afternoon; Sarkar declined on Saturday evening, with a university decision expected Monday.
- Why
- The committee was formed to investigate clashes between SFI and ABVP groups.
Critics of Sarkar’s Appointment
University-Related Account
Why Sarkar declined
Critics of Sarkar’s Appointment
ABRSM objected to Sarkar’s appointment, reportedly citing his association with teacher-recruitment cases during the previous Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal.
University-Related Account
A Jadavpur University insider said Sarkar emailed his refusal before ABRSM formally raised its objections, so the objections cannot definitively be identified as the reason.
Key facts
- University
- Jadavpur University in Kolkata
- Clashing groups
- The CPI(M)-affiliated SFI and ABVP groups
- Proposed committee head
- Subha Shankar Sarkar, former vice-chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University
- Other committee members
- Arunasish Goswami and Soumendu Chattopadhyay
- Sarkar’s decision
- He emailed JU on Saturday evening expressing disinclination to take charge
- Possible next steps
- JU may appoint a replacement or announce a new panel
- Political statement
- Suvendu Adhikari said he would work to establish nationalism inside and outside JU
Quotes
A JU insider
An unnamed source within Jadavpur University commenting on Sarkar’s refusal.
“Hence, it cannot be said for certain that his decision had anything to do with the ABRSM’s objections.”
thehansindia.com
Suvendu Adhikari
The chief minister quoted in the article discussing his stated plans for Jadavpur University.
“They do not let Vande Mataram be sung in JU. The national flag is not hoisted there. They do not let the Education Department officials enter the university campus. They do not let CCTV cameras be installed there. But we will establish nationalism inside and outside Jadavpur.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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