Kolkata, 23 February (H.S.):
Following a violent clash between two student groups on the Jadavpur University campus, in which two teachers and several students were injured, the university administration on Monday strongly condemned the incident and announced the formation of an inquiry committee.
University Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya said that a committee is being formed to investigate the incident that occurred on February 20th and that strict disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty. He also assured that necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
According to the university sources, a clash broke out between students supporting the SFI and We the Independent (WTI) during a cultural event called Medgala on Friday evening. As per information, the dispute was related to differences over the election of student representatives to the university's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
The situation escalated when the two groups clashed near the Science and Arts buildings. Around 12 to 15 teachers intervened and initially separated the two sides.
However, when Professors Rajyeshwar Sinha and Lalit Mahakud stepped in to pacify the two groups, they were allegedly attacked. One teacher's glasses were broken in the attack. Professor Sinha sustained an injury near his eye, while Professor Mahakud received first aid. Both were taken to the hospital, where they were discharged after treatment.
Condemning the incident, the Vice-Chancellor said that physical assault on teachers is completely unacceptable and against the university's tradition of respect, dialogue, and teacher-student relations. He said, Physical assault on teachers by students of the same university is condemnable, unacceptable, and unimaginable.
The administration has appealed to students to exercise restraint, avoid provocation, and resolve issues through peaceful and democratic academic processes. The Vice-Chancellor called for cooperation from all parties to preserve the university's legacy of intellectual freedom and constructive debate.
Meanwhile, the Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA) called for an emergency general meeting to protest the attack on teachers and the deterioration of the academic environment on campus. JUTA President Partha Pratim Biswas and General Secretary Partha Pratim Roy expressed concern over the university's poor financial situation and the severe shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff.
Roy alleged that some students and outsiders were conspiring to disrupt the campus atmosphere. He claimed that recently, some students surrounded and harassed security personnel at night when they tried to stop them from consuming alcohol and marijuana.
JUTA also alleged that during the incident, four or five students and outsiders arrived at the scene in a university ambulance and joined the scuffle. According to the organization, one man repeatedly punched Professor Sinha in the face, causing him to fall and breaking his glasses.
The police confirmed that they received reports of unrest on campus, but no formal complaint was filed. A senior officer from the South Suburban Division of Kolkata Police stated that the police did not intervene because they had not received any complaint from the university or any individual. He also clarified that the police cannot enter the campus without the permission or request of the administration.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
