Kolkata: Tension remains high at Jadavpur University in Kolkata following a chaotic incident involving Left-wing students that resulted in injuries to Education Minister Bratya Basu. The disturbance occurred when the Minister’s car was reportedly blocked upon entering the campus, leading to a scuffle as students demanded immediate elections for the university’s student council.
In response to the altercation, five FIRs have been filed, with three lodged by the Trinamool Congress-affiliated West Bengal College & University Professors Association (WBCUPA). These complaints accuse the protesting students of heckling the Minister and vandalizing university property. Conversely, the students have also filed FIRs alleging that the Minister’s vehicle intentionally struck them, injuring two protestors. A former student, Sahel Ali, was arrested late Saturday night in connection with the events.
The situation escalated on Saturday, with students, primarily from the CPI(M)’s student wing, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), holding protests against what they termed an unprovoked assault by the Minister’s supporters on their peaceful demonstration. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress activists protested across the street, condemning the alleged heckling of the Minister.
Later that evening, a group of students reportedly set fire to an office associated with a Trinamool Congress-affiliated organization within the campus. The SFI announced plans for continued protests, including a march in Jadavpur on Sunday and a statewide strike in all colleges and universities on Monday.
During the protests, Minister Basu sustained minor injuries and felt unwell, prompting his admission to S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital, where he was later discharged.