Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Jadavpur University Withdraws Notice to Professor After Neha Bora Event
Jadavpur University asked professor Arup Gayen to explain why he approved a campus event.
The event took place on October 5 and featured student leader Neha Bora.
Some groups questioned whether the event had been approved properly.
Teachers and students also objected to the university’s notice to Gayen.
The vice-chancellor spoke with him and decided a written explanation was not needed.
The university then withdrew the notice.
The committee that approves campus events was also changed.
The vice-chancellor called that change routine, while the officiating registrar had linked the committee’s dissolution to procedural lapses.
Jadavpur University withdrew an explanation notice issued to professor Arup Gayen over his approval of a campus convention addressed by Neha Bora.
Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said a discussion with Gayen meant no written explanation was needed.
The October 5 convention was held at KP Basu Hall and organised by Left-backed student groups.
RSS-affiliated organisations and the ABVP questioned the event’s approval and alleged procedural lapses; organisers challenged the student group’s objections.
The events committee was dissolved and reconstituted; the vice-chancellor called this routine, while the officiating registrar cited procedural lapses.
- Who
- Jadavpur University professor Arup Gayen, Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, and groups that supported or challenged the event’s approval.
- What
- The university withdrew a notice asking Gayen to explain his approval of a campus convention featuring Neha Bora.
- When
- The convention was held on October 5; the university withdrew the notice after a discussion with Gayen. The committee was dissolved on October 6 and a new panel was formed on October 7.
- Where
- KP Basu Hall at Jadavpur University in Kolkata.
- Why
- Bhattacharjee said he no longer required a written explanation after discussing the circumstances of the approval with Gayen.
Objections to the notice and event approval
Concerns about procedure and permission
Notice to Arup Gayen
Objections to the notice and event approval
The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association opposed the notice, warning that penalising teachers who provide voluntary service on panels could discourage their cooperation. The vice-chancellor said a discussion with Gayen made a written explanation unnecessary.
Concerns about procedure and permission
RSS-affiliated teacher and student organisations alleged procedural lapses in approving the event. The ABVP also questioned whether the convention had administrative permission and objected to the alleged presence of political figures from outside the university.
Committee dissolution
Objections to the notice and event approval
The vice-chancellor described dissolving and reconstituting the committee as routine and said the new panel was balanced and would work fairly.
Concerns about procedure and permission
The officiating registrar said the panel was dissolved at the vice-chancellor’s direction because of procedural lapses, including organising an event without informing higher authorities.
Claims about outsiders
Objections to the notice and event approval
The organisers argued that the RSS-affiliated student body had no right to object to outsiders, citing an earlier incident in which they said its leaders with no university association entered campus during unrest.
Concerns about procedure and permission
The ABVP protested the alleged presence of political figures from outside the university at the convention.
- University
- Jadavpur University
- Professor
- Arup Gayen, chairman of the approving and programme monitoring committee
- Vice-chancellor
- Chiranjib Bhattacharjee
- Event
- A convention titled “Gen Z Movement: Unity of Generation and Resistance”
- Event date and venue
- October 5 at KP Basu Hall
- Speaker
- Neha Bora, identified in the PTI report as AISA president
- Committee changes
- The committee was disbanded on October 6; an eight-member panel was constituted on October 7
