Kolkata, 25 August (H.S.): Amid the ongoing controversy over the recent unrest at Jadavpur University, West Bengal Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay has finally spoken out, describing the incidents as “condemnable” and saying that such developments are not acceptable at one of the country’s leading institutions of higher education and research.

Speaking on the recent situation at Jadavpur University, Chattopadhyay appealed to students, teachers, researchers and all other stakeholders associated with the university to work towards restoring peace and normalcy on the campus.

The minister said Jadavpur is not merely a university but one of India’s important centres of higher education, research and academic excellence. He said the Higher Education Department wants the institution to preserve its longstanding reputation and build on it further in the future.

Reacting to the recent incidents, Chattopadhyay said that the sequence of provocation, counter-provocation and subsequent reactions that led to the situation was condemnable. He stressed that such incidents should not be allowed to overshadow the university’s academic identity.

Amid the political debate surrounding the situation, the minister urged all concerned to focus on Jadavpur University’s core character. He said the institution’s name should not be brought into a negative light before the country or the world because of any incident or political confrontation. Instead, Jadavpur should be known for its education, research and excellence, he said.

Addressing students, teachers, researchers and other stakeholders, Chattopadhyay said maintaining peace was essential to preserving the identity and dignity of Jadavpur University. He emphasised that protecting the university’s reputation and legacy was not the sole responsibility of the authorities but a collective responsibility of everyone associated with the institution.

The minister also linked Jadavpur’s future to the state government’s broader plans, pointing to the proposal in this year’s Budget to develop the university as a ‘Centre of Excellence’.

He said restoring normalcy on the campus would be the first step towards achieving that objective. His message was clear: normalcy must return to Jadavpur, and unnecessary disputes or controversies should not be allowed to overshadow the university’s academic achievements and core identity.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey