Jadavpur University Violence: A section of students from West Bengal’s Jadavpur University allegedly heckled Union Minister Babul Supriyo as per media reports. Jadavpur University which is based in WB capital Kolkata city saw violent protests erupt following the incident. According to the reports published by leading meda houses, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar rushed to rescue Supriyo before any untowardly incident took place. However, following the incident, political blame game has begun between Mamata Baneerjee government, Babul Supriyo and State Governor Dhankhar.
How did it all start?
Union Minister of State Babul Supriyo was scheduled to Jadavpur University campus in state-capital as part of an event organized by the RSS affiliated students’ group ABVP and to attend a seminar on Governnance in India. He was joined by BJP leaders Agnimitra Paul. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the events unfolded in early afternoon, when Babul Supriyo tried entering the campus but was stopped by a group of students who had formed a barricade to stop him. However, despite the barricade, Supriyo and his convoy managed to enter the campus after one-and-half hours of stand-off.
Students Show Black Flags
Students from Jadavpur University, which some media reports suggest to be from Left aligned groups, shouted slogans and showed black flags to Supriyo’s Convoy as a mart of protest. Situation got out of control, when students tried to confront Supriyo when he was about to leave. As per the statements given by the students to media outlets, Supriyo’s security team tried to force students away and manhandled them, including a girl student who was protesting. Following this incident, students ‘gheraoed’ Supriyo, asking him to apologise the students and during this confrontation, the union minister was heckled.
Supriyo Alleges Violence by Students
Union Minister Babul Supriyo was seen being heckled by the students of the University. The minister has alleged that the people belonging to the Leftist students’ groups ‘kicked him, punched him and pulled his hair as he tried to step out of the car. According to PTI sources, the student protestors were belonged to SFI, Left-leaning AFSU and FETSU and AISA, a Naxalite student wing and a few members of the TMCP.
Governor rushes to rescue Supriyo
After entering the campus, Supriyo was unable to exit it despite repeated events due to the ghearo by the students. With student protests taking a more aggressive turn, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is also the chancellor of the University, rushed to the university campus to rescue Union Minister and BJP leaders stuck there for hours. However, even Governor’s car was stopped by the protesting students and he could only reach Supriyo after a few hours.
Governor Dhankhar and Babul Supriyo finally left the campus late in the evening hours after university teachers stepped in and persuaded the agitating students to lift their blockade, a spokesman of Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA) said.
ABVP members vandalize University
Following the incident, stick-wielding supporters of ABVP, vandalised the room of the Arts Faculty Students Union (AFSU) sparking off unrest on the University campus late in the night. Members of ABVP were seen setting fire to furniture, computers and ceiling fans of the room and covering the signage outside it with black colour. They even painted ABVP on the wall of the room and burnt tyres before gate number four of JU.
Political Blame-Game Begins
Following the incident, political blame-game has begun on the incident with all the key stakeholders alleging responsibility for letting the incident go out of control on others.
Governor demand immediate action
After rescuing Supriyo from the University campus, WB Governor Dhankhar reached out to state chief secretary and demanded immediate action against the protestors and students involved in heckling of union minister and violence on the campus.
Supriyo alleges inact
ion by State Government
Union Minister Supriyo alleged that ‘NO ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION from Mamta Govt’ in a tweet he sent out later in the evening. In a statement issued to a media outlet, Supriyo said that "They assaulted me the moment I got out of the car. They kicked me, punched me, caught my hair ... pulled me from one end to another. These were apparently students." He also claimed that the protesters tried to provoke him by "openly referring to themselves as Naxals".
Inaction by Jadavpur University Administration
Supriyo also alleged inaction from Jadavpur University Administration alleging that the Vice Chancellor already knew what was going to happen but didn’t take any corrective or preventive measures. He further added that it is not the physical assault that hurt him but the inaction and passive attitude of the administration.
TMC criticises Governor for partisan politics
Following the daring rescue of Babul Supriyo by WB Governor Dhankhar, TMC has criticised Governor for playing a partisan approach in the incident. TMC secretary-general and Education Minister Partha Chatterjee alleged that the Governor didn’t head to the advice given by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and rushed the University, not giving the state government enough time to bring situation under control. Chatterjee also added that "This is most unfortunate and shocking that our Governor, the custodian of the Constitution of the State, without informing the elected government, went to the so-called rescue of the BJP leader from Jadavpur University.”
TMC also said that Union Minister Babul Supriyo had visited the campus to attend ‘BJP students' wing program without informing the Govt’. TMC also
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