Hooghly, 24 April (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee strongly reacted to remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Jadavpur University during an election rally, calling them unacceptable and an insult to a premier educational institution.

In a post on social media platform X, Banerjee questioned whether it was appropriate to use such language for meritorious students. She said that Jadavpur University has consistently ranked among the top institutions under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), and targeting such an institution is unfortunate.

The Chief Minister stated that students of Jadavpur University earn admission through merit and leave with degrees, knowledge, and the ability to question. “This is not anarchy, but a symbol of education and excellence,” she said, adding that student protests are part of democracy and not its downfall. According to her, raising one’s voice is a sign of democratic consciousness, not disorder.

Launching a broader attack on the Centre, Banerjee said that “anarchy” is when power is used as a tool of pressure instead of justice, when farmers’ voices are suppressed, the poor are denied their rights, society is divided on religious lines, and accountability is avoided.

She also referred to the situation in Manipur, alleging that while parts of the country are facing crises, the central government remains focused on electoral politics.

Banerjee urged the Prime Minister not to defame historic and prestigious institutions like Jadavpur University, describing it as an important symbol of Bengal’s academic heritage inspired by early nationalists.

The controversy comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made remarks about the condition of the university campus during a rally on Friday, sparking a fresh political debate in the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey