Protests Erupt at Jadavpur University Against Bengal Education Minister
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Synopsis
West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu faced protests at Jadavpur University during a meeting of the WBCUPA. Students demanded an election for the student council, leading to unrest and injuries on both sides.
Key Takeaways
- Bratya Basu was confronted by students at Jadavpur University.
- Protesters demanded immediate student council elections.
- A scuffle broke out, causing unrest on campus.
- Two professors and one student were injured during the altercation.
- Basu was taken to S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital due to minor injuries.
Kolkata, March 1 (NationPress) West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu encountered significant protests at Jadavpur University (JV) on Saturday while attending the annual general meeting of the Trinamool Congress-affiliated West Bengal College and University Professors Association (WBCUPA).
Upon his arrival at the university, students linked to the CPI(M)’s student organization, Students’ Federation of India (SFI), commenced a protest by surrounding Basu and demanding the immediate election of the student council at JU.
A confrontation ensued between the protesting students and Basu’s associates, leading to widespread unrest on campus. Security personnel struggled to safely escort the minister back to his vehicle.
Both the minister's vehicle and the accompanying pilot car sustained damage, reportedly at the hands of the protesting students. The windscreen of Basu's vehicle suffered a crack, allegedly due to actions taken by the demonstrators.
Following the scuffle, the minister sustained minor injuries and became unwell, prompting his urgent transport to S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata. At the time of this report, his condition was described as stable.
Additionally, one of the protesting students was severely injured after being struck by the minister's vehicle.
Leadership from SFI accused the minister’s driver of intentionally hitting the student, resulting in serious injury. Two professors from the university also suffered injuries during the altercation.
Basu, who also presides over WBCUPA, claimed that the aggression directed at him was not solely from leftist students. “It was a coordinated effort by the leftists, extreme leftists, and students affiliated with saffron forces,” he stated.
Conversely, SFI leaders asserted that it was outsiders accompanying the minister who instigated the conflict by acting inappropriately towards the students.
“We gathered peacefully to demand the election of the student council at JU. Our intention was to present a memorandum to the minister. However, Trinamool Congress affiliates accompanying him attacked the students, leading to the ensuing scuffles,” explained an SFI member.
