Kolkata, March 4 A political controversy erupted on Wednesday after senior BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar alleged that West Bengal minister Manas Bhuniya made inappropriate remarks towards professors and students during a welcome event for new students at a college in the Paschim Medinipur district.
In a post on X, Majumdar, who is also the Union minister of state for education, claimed that Bhuniya reprimanded students and faculty in an inappropriate manner at the recent welcome event at Sabang Sajanikanta Mahavidyalaya in his constituency. Bhuniya is also the president of the college's governing body.
Majumdar, a former BJP state president, also shared a purported video clip showing the minister admonishing students and others.
However,
"In front of young students, he publicly said that the college's standards have deteriorated considerably. He reprimanded the principal from the stage and even warned students of punishment," Majumdar alleged.
He further claimed that the minister expressed displeasure when some students left the venue for refreshments without listening to his speech.
"How can he threaten boys and girls in front of everyone?" the BJP leader said.
Taking a swipe at the ruling Trinamool Congress, Majumdar alleged that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state's education system has been systematically weakened.
"The backbone of Bengal's education system has already been crushed. Individuals... are being placed at the helm of school and college governing bodies so that the ruling party can capture campuses and snatch away students' right to education," he claimed.
Condemning Bhuniya's purported comments, Majumdar said, "This is an affront to the entire teaching community and educationists of the state."
A faculty member of Sajanikanta Mahavidyalaya told