Kolkata: West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu faced massive protests at Jadavpur University (JU) on Saturday as members of the CPM student wing, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and other left-leaning groups confronted him over the delay in student union elections. The demonstration turned violent, with students allegedly damaging Basu’s vehicle, smashing the windscreen and rearview mirror.
One person has been arrested so far in the incident, while five FIRs have been filed.
Basu had visited the JU campus to attend the annual general meeting of the West Bengal College and University Professors Association (WBCUPA). As he attempted to leave, over 100 agitated students gheraoed him. The situation worsened when a vehicle in the minister’s convoy allegedly ran over two protesters, leaving them injured and hospitalised in serious condition.
Minister undergoes medical tests
The education minister was later taken to the state-run SSKM Hospital, where he underwent medical tests after experiencing uneasiness and minor injuries caused by broken glass. “I have undergone an X-ray test as I felt pain in my chest. However, doctors told me there was no serious injury,” Basu said after his medical check-up.
The incident quickly took a political turn, with the BJP blaming the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for student unrest. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya criticised the state government, linking the protest to broader dissatisfaction among students over recent controversies, including the handling of the RG Kar rape and murder case.
Meanwhile, Basu condemned the attack, accusing left-wing groups of attempting to create lawlessness on campus. “I was ready to speak to five representatives even in the presence of the vice-chancellor, but they did not want constructive dialogue. They wanted chaos,” he said.
TMC leaders lead rally near university
SFI leader Kaushiki Bhattacharya refuted these allegations, asserting that the protests were peaceful and that it was TMC-aligned outsiders who instigated violence. “We only wanted a discussion on holding students’ union elections, but TMC members attacked our activists,” she claimed.
Following Basu’s departure, tensions flared as some students vandalised the WBCUPA meeting venue, tore banners, and set furniture on fire. TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh denounced the attack on Basu, warning that the ruling party’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness.
In response to the attack, TMC leaders, including minister Aroop Biswas and Jadavpur MP Sayani Ghosh, led a rally near the university to protest the violence. “We believe in democracy, but what happened today was sheer hooliganism,” Biswas said.
