1 week ago
Jadavpur University Files Complaints, Forms Panel Over Campus Violence
Jadavpur University says groups of people entered its campus and caused trouble.
The university reported fires, damaged property and harm to historic emblems.
It also said some students were threatened or trapped inside buildings.
Officials complained to the police and asked them to investigate.
A three-person committee will study what happened and make recommendations.
The university plans to give investigators its campus security-camera recordings.
ABVP denied damaging one emblem and blamed ultra-Left groups.
Student groups and teachers held protests about the events.
Jadavpur University filed police complaints over alleged campus violence, vandalism, arson and forced entry by unidentified people or outsiders.
The university said fires were set to flags, posters and festoons, while property, CCTV equipment and heritage emblems were allegedly damaged.
Officials reported threats to students, attempted hostel intrusion, a damaged main gate and students being locked inside a building.
The university will provide campus CCTV footage and formed a three-member committee to investigate the incidents and recommend action.
ABVP denied damaging the emblem and blamed ultra-Left groups, while Left-leaning student groups and teachers protested the reported vandalism.
- Who
- Jadavpur University authorities, police, ABVP, Left-leaning student groups, teachers and unidentified alleged outsiders were involved.
- What
- The university reported campus violence involving alleged forced entry, arson, vandalism, threats, damaged emblems and clashes, then filed police complaints and formed a three-member inquiry committee.
- Where
- Jadavpur University in Kolkata, including the main campus, Aurobindo Bhavan, Gate No. 1, Gate No. 4 and a students’ hostel.
- When
- The reports place the main incident either around midnight on August 19 or at 12:37 am on August 20; further incidents were reported on August 20, with complaints and responses announced on August 21.
- Why
- The university sought an investigation, legal action against those responsible and measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
University and Left-Leaning Groups’ Account
ABVP’s Account
Responsibility for emblem damage
University and Left-Leaning Groups’ Account
University authorities and Left-leaning groups described the emblem damage as part of alleged campus vandalism during or after a confrontation involving ABVP supporters near Gate No. 4.
ABVP’s Account
ABVP denied damaging the emblem and alleged that ultra-Left groups conspired to cause the damage.
Nature of the campus violence
University and Left-Leaning Groups’ Account
The university reported illegal entry, arson, threats, property damage and attempted intrusion into a hostel, while SFI and DSO protested alleged vandalism.
ABVP’s Account
ABVP and Left-leaning student groups accused each other of bringing outsiders to campus during the clash.
Response and accountability
University and Left-Leaning Groups’ Account
The university filed complaints, offered CCTV footage and formed a committee; teachers and Left-leaning student groups held protests demanding action over the reported incidents.
ABVP’s Account
ABVP said it would stage a protest demanding action against those it considered responsible.
Key facts
- Police complaints
- University officials said complaints were lodged over the reported violence, forced entry, arson, gate damage, emblem damage and stone- and bottle-pelting.
- Reported entry
- One complaint described a crowd entering the campus around midnight; another account placed an alleged entry at about 12:37 am on August 20.
- Reported damage
- Officials cited fires, damage to property and a CCTV camera, attempted damage to the main gate, and damage to two heritage emblems.
- Inquiry panel
- A three-member committee was formed to examine the circumstances and factors behind the incident and subsequent developments.
- Evidence
- The university decided to provide investigators with CCTV footage from the campus.
- Teacher protest
- The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association observed a half-day or two-hour cease-work protest, according to the reports.
- Political dispute
- ABVP denied responsibility for emblem damage and alleged a conspiracy by ultra-Left groups; a Bengali department teacher denied an allegation of involvement.
Quotes
A state-run university official
An unnamed official of Jadavpur University
“The complaint sought an investigation, and asked the police to prevent recurrence of such incidents on the campus”
theprint.in
“I was inside the campus. The emblem is located outside. The CCTV footage will make it clear how it was damaged”
thestatesman.com
Chiranjib Bhattacharya
Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University
“Another complaint was lodged in connection with scaling the varsity’s gate number 4, damaging the historic emblem of the varsity crafted by legendary painter Nandalal Bose, and the pelting of stones and water bottles.”
theprint.in
Sources
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