Members of CPI(M)’s student wing, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Naxalite group AISA gheraoed West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Saturday at Jadavpur University, demanding immediate announcement of students’ union election dates. The protest turned violent, with demonstrators damaging the windscreen and rearview mirror of Basu’s vehicle, showing him shoes and obstructing his departure from the campus.
The minister had visited the university to attend the annual general meeting of the West Bengal College and University Professors Association (WBCUPA). As he attempted to leave, around 100 protestors surrounded him, escalating the situation. Despite trying to engage with the students, Basu was met with aggression.
Following the incident, Basu was taken to the state-run SSKM Hospital, where he complained of uneasiness and suffered gashes on his left hand. “I underwent an X-ray as I felt chest pain. Doctors assured me that there was no serious injury, apart from minor external marks,” Basu informed reporters upon leaving the hospital.
Describing the incident, Basu stated, “I was willing to speak with the students and even received a memorandum from the SFI. However, when I returned to my vehicle, a large group turned violent. I was open to a discussion with five representatives in the presence of the vice-chancellor, but they were not interested in dialogue. They wanted chaos.”
He further alleged that the protestors included members of ultra-left organisations beyond SFI. Despite the aggressive demonstration, Basu noted that his security personnel refrained from retaliation, and police intervention was not requested, stating, “We don’t believe in violence or police intrusion into campus matters.”
Basu, who also serves as WBCUPA president, condemned the actions of the protestors, saying their behavior exposed an undemocratic and unruly approach. He also accused them of shouting slogans against members of the teaching community, further escalating tensions on campus.
“Today those who had protested against saffronisation of the country, those who made tall claims about fighting for democracy, fighting against fascism, today joined hands with fascist forces to demonstrate against me and members of the teaching community just because we did not succumb to their pressure tactics, their intimidatory tactics,” Basu said earlier.
He said to a question, “Ram and Bam (rightwing and left forces) have joined hands to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere on the campus. They manhandled one of our members.” Basu claimed that several WBCUPA members were injured after being physically assaulted by the protesting students.
SFI leader Kaushiki Bhattacharya said the students only wanted to have a discussion with the Education minister with the sole demand to conduct students’ union polls at the earliest.
“We did not resort to violence. It is the TMC outsiders who joined some of their sympathisers on the campus to attack our activists and use abusive language against us,” she said.
She claimed that two left student activists were injured after the cars in Basu’s convoy ran over their ankles and they had to be admitted to hospital in serious condition.
Denouncing the protest by SFI students, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said our patience and tolerance should not be mistaken as weakness by those who are behind the attack.
Ghosh who met Basu at the hospital said, “It was a planned attack on a minister by left ultra-left elements who only want to create chaos. What would have happened if the windshield and rearview mirror had come off and grievously injured the minister who was sitting in the front seat next to the driver? Our patience and tolerance should not be mistaken as weakness by those who are behind such attacks.” After Basu’s car left, a section of students tore festoons, and banners put up for the WBCUPA AGM and heckled senior faculty members like Omprakash Mishra. They also vandalised the room of the TMC teachers’ wing cell and set the furniture on fire alleging two of their colleagues were deliberately hit by the car of Basu to clear his way.
The protesting SFI students also blocked the arterial SC Mallick Road near Jadavpur police station and 8B bus terminus for about an hour before it was withdrawn as commuters intervened.
There was high drama as state minister Aroop Biswas and Jadavpur MP Sayani Ghosh led a TMC rally which went around Sukanta Setu and 8B bus stand near Jadavpur University in protest against the attack on Basu and senior WBCUPA members who are part of the JU faculty.
“We believe in democracy. Those who are making tall claims about democracy, killed democracy on the campus today by vandalising the WBCUPA meeting venue. By manhandling the teachers. Are they fit to be called students or hooligans?” he said.
Biswas said “It will take one minute to establish TMCP’s supremacy in the campus. But guided by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, we will not retaliate.” Police had a trying time in separating the protesting TMC and SFI activists as they assembled on either flank of the S C Mallick Road and raised slogans.
(With inputs from PTI)