West Bengal: Calm Prevails in Educational Institutions Despite SFI Strike Call
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Synopsis
On March 3, educational institutions in West Bengal maintained a peaceful environment despite a strike called by the SFI after two Jadavpur University students were hospitalized due to an incident involving the West Bengal Education Minister. Protests occurred, but examinations continued without disruption.
Key Takeaways
- Peaceful atmosphere in colleges and universities despite SFI strike.
- Minor clashes reported in various districts.
- Higher Secondary exams conducted smoothly.
- Protests held at major universities without significant disturbances.
- Minister involved in incident, received treatment.
Kolkata, March 3 (NationPress) The atmosphere in colleges and universities throughout West Bengal remained calm on Monday, despite a strike initiated by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). This strike was called following the hospitalization of two students from Jadavpur University, who were reportedly struck by a vehicle belonging to West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu last week.
While the overall situation was peaceful, there were occasional incidents of tension and clashes among different student unions reported from various locations within West Bengal.
The Uccha Madhyamik (Higher Secondary) examinations, organized by the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, commenced on Monday without any interruptions, as the examination centers were excluded from the strike's effects.
On the same day, SFI activists held a protest in front of gate number four at Jadavpur University, but no significant disturbances were reported there.
Although classes in the arts stream were suspended, the scheduled examinations for first-year engineering students proceeded smoothly.
Protests by SFI activists occurred at both Calcutta University and Jadavpur University. Tension escalated at Vidyasagar University in the West Midnapore district, where scuffles broke out between SFI and the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, the student wing of the Trinamool Congress.
Similar disturbances were recorded at Midnapore College and Panskura College in the same district.
The strike had a significant impact on North Bengal University and its affiliated colleges, with sporadic clashes between SFI and TMCP activists leading to minor injuries on both sides.
On Saturday, chaos erupted when the minister's vehicle was reportedly halted upon entering the campus, sparking a scuffle as students demanded immediate elections for the university's student council.
Protesting students claimed that while Minister Basu attempted to exit amid student protests, his vehicle intentionally struck two protesting students, resulting in severe injuries that required hospitalization.
Amid the unrest, the minister also sustained minor injuries and became unwell, requiring treatment at the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital, from which he was later discharged.
