An uneasy calm settled over the Jadavpur University (JU) campus in Kolkata on Sunday morning following violent protests on Saturday by Leftist student groups, who targeted West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu. The minister’s vehicle was vandalized during the protests, resulting in damage to its windscreen.
The situation turned severe when two protesting students were injured—one seriously—after being grazed by a vehicle tyre from the minister’s convoy as it attempted to leave amidst intense agitation.
Forensic Team to Investigate Campus Violence
A forensic team is scheduled to visit Jadavpur University on Sunday to investigate the site of violence, according to a university official.The unrest further escalated when a group of students verbally abused Bhaskar Gupta, the officiating Vice Chancellor of JU, after he visited Indranuj Roy, one of the injured students, at a nearby private hospital around 12:30 am. The students confronted Gupta, criticizing the administration's inaction on critical issues like student union elections.
Addressing the media, Gupta expressed empathy for the injured student:
"I understand they are pained and anguished over Roy's injury and we all are wishing for his speedy recovery." He also stated that although conducting student union elections falls under the jurisdiction of the higher education ministry, the university administration had repeatedly raised the issue with the state government.
Campus Office of TMC-Affiliated Group Set Ablaze
In the aftermath of the protests, the office of the ruling Trinamool Congress's academic wing (Shiksha Cell) at Jadavpur University was set on fire by agitated students after Minister Basu’s departure. Burnt festoons, chairs, and other items were left scattered outside the vandalized office, reflecting the scale of the unrest.Police remained vigilant along S.C. Mallick Road and in front of Jadavpur police station, particularly after Leftist student groups and TMC supporters held opposing demonstrations on Saturday.
Students Demand Immediate Union Polls and Action Against Minister
The agitation was spearheaded by student organizations such as the Students' Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with CPI(M), and the Naxalite student body All India Students Association (AISA). They demanded immediate conduct of student union elections and strict action against Minister Basu, accusing him of deliberately fleeing the scene, resulting in injuries to the students.In response, TMC condemned the incident, strongly protesting against the heckling of Minister Basu and the assault on members of the TMC-aligned West Bengal College and University Professors' Association (WBCUPA) during their annual general meeting at JU.
Minister Basu’s Condition Stable After Hospital Visit
The violence initially erupted when Minister Bratya Basu arrived on campus to attend the WBCUPA meeting. Despite efforts to engage with protesters and receive their memorandum, Basu was soon surrounded (gheraoed), prompting security personnel to intervene. Basu later complained of uneasiness and sustained bruises from glass shards due to his vehicle’s damaged windscreen. He was taken to SSKM Hospital for treatment, and officials later confirmed his stable condition as he returned home.The injured student, Indranuj Roy, reportedly affiliated with AISA, sustained injuries when protesters attempted to physically halt the minister’s convoy from leaving, hanging from vehicles and subsequently falling to the ground.
Authorities remain on alert as tension persists in and around Jadavpur University, awaiting further investigations by the forensic team and police actions.
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