1 week ago
West Bengal Minister Condemns Jadavpur Clash as Political Threats Escalate
Two student groups, ABVP and SFI, became involved in a fight at Jadavpur University.
The trouble began late Wednesday and spread outside the campus on Thursday.
During the violence, an important university emblem was damaged.
The emblem was designed by the artist Nandalal Bose.
Police opened a case after the university’s Vice-Chancellor complained.
The case names unknown people and alleged outsiders, and includes accusations of rioting and vandalism.
Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the violence hurts the university’s reputation and asked political groups not to interfere.
Another minister, Dilip Ghosh, said there could be more forceful action if anti-national slogans are heard again.
A clash between ABVP and SFI began at Jadavpur University late Wednesday night and continued outside the campus Thursday.
The university’s historic emblem, created by artist Nandalal Bose, was damaged during the unrest.
Police registered a case against unknown persons and alleged outsiders after a complaint from the Vice-Chancellor.
Charges include public-property damage, unlawful assembly, rioting, intimidation, causing injury, wrongful restraint and property damage.
Swapan Dasgupta urged political groups and outsiders to stay away, while Dilip Ghosh threatened further action if anti-national slogans recur.
- Who
- ABVP and SFI students were involved; West Bengal ministers Swapan Dasgupta and Dilip Ghosh also commented on the unrest.
- What
- Violence at Jadavpur University led to alleged arson, vandalism, intimidation and damage to the university emblem, followed by political reactions.
- Where
- Jadavpur University in Kolkata, West Bengal, including areas outside the campus.
- When
- The clash began late Wednesday night, spread outside the campus Thursday, and was addressed by Dasgupta on Friday.
- Why
- The articles attribute the violence to a conflict between ABVP and SFI and cite alleged outsider entry, provocations and political tensions.
Calls for Restraint and Non-Interference
Threats of Further Political Action
Role of Political Groups
Calls for Restraint and Non-Interference
Swapan Dasgupta urged political entities and outsiders of all affiliations to stay away from the campus tensions and avoid provoking students.
Threats of Further Political Action
Dilip Ghosh said further “surgical strikes” could take place at Jadavpur University if anti-national slogans or movements recur.
Response to Campus Protest
Calls for Restraint and Non-Interference
Dasgupta said students should determine their own course of action and that students and ordinary people should not respond to provocations.
Threats of Further Political Action
Ghosh referred to previous action against the SFI office and said more action would follow if he considered anti-national activity present.
Public Position on Protests
Calls for Restraint and Non-Interference
Dasgupta emphasized restoring calm and Jadavpur University’s status as a center of excellence.
Threats of Further Political Action
BJP MLA Sarbari Mukherjee said she had always advocated peaceful protest, while also having threatened larger protests if an SFI leader did not surrender to police.
Key facts
- Institution
- Jadavpur University
- Student groups
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Students’ Federation of India
- Emblem
- The historic emblem was created by artist Nandalal Bose and was damaged during the unrest.
- Police action
- Jadavpur police registered a case against unknown persons and alleged outsiders following the Vice-Chancellor’s complaint.
- Legal provisions
- The case invokes Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and relevant Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions.
- Security response
- University authorities indicated plans for an internal inquiry committee and consideration of a police outpost near the campus perimeter.
- Political reactions
- Swapan Dasgupta called for non-interference, while Dilip Ghosh threatened further action if anti-national slogans recur.
Quotes
Swapan Dasgupta
West Bengal Finance Minister and Rashbehari constituency legislator
“Yesterday or the day before I was telling the Vice-Chancellor and senior academic staff that often Jadavpur University gets into the news for all the wrong reasons. This time again something similar has happened. Such physical clash between two groups is very unfortunate as it brings bad name to the state and also the university to some extent.”
freepressjournal.in
“My only observation is this: let students decide their own course of action. The more outsiders follow a non-interference policy, the better it is… Just as I say we shouldn’t get politically involved during Durga Puja, similarly, I want to say it’s very important that political people of all colours stay away from provoking things in Jadavpur.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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