Tensions high at Jadavpur University following violent protests

Kolkata

 A tense atmosphere gripped the Jadavpur University campus on Sunday, a day after violent protests erupted over student union elections. Leftist student groups clashed with authorities, leading to chaos that saw West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu being heckled and his convoy attacked.

On Saturday, members of the CPI(M)-affiliated Students’ Federation of India (SFI) surrounded the minister’s car, demanding immediate student union elections. The protest turned violent when some demonstrators smashed the windscreen of his vehicle. In the ensuing commotion, two protesters were injured, one seriously, after being grazed by a vehicle in the minister’s convoy. The situation escalated further wh”n officiating Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta visited an injured student, Indranuj Roy, at a private hospital. Reports suggest he was verbally abused by a section of the protesting students, adding to the already heightened tensions on campus.

Authorities have urged calm, with police maintaining a strong presence to prevent further clashes. While university officials have condemned the violence, students insist their demands for elections remain non-negotiable. As the unrest continues, the state government is under pressure to address the grievances of the students while ensuring that law and order are maintained on campus. Political leaders and student organizations have weighed in on the controversy, with opposition parties accusing the state government of suppressing democratic rights. Meanwhile, university authorities are exploring dialogue with student representatives to defuse tensions and restore normalcy on campus.