Protests Erupt at Jadavpur University: Five FIRs Registered Amid Tensions
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Synopsis
Tensions escalate at Jadavpur University as protests continue following an incident where Education Minister Bratya Basu was injured. Five FIRs have been filed, and calls for student council elections intensify amid unrest on campus.
Key Takeaways
- Protests at Jadavpur University escalate following an incident involving the Education Minister.
- Five FIRs have been lodged, highlighting the ongoing conflict.
- The Students' Federation of India (SFI) is spearheading the protests.
- Allegations include property damage by students and vehicular assault by the Minister's convoy.
- Future protests and strikes have been planned by the SFI.
Kolkata, March 2 (NationPress) Tension remains high on the grounds of Kolkata’s prestigious Jadavpur University (JU) following a chaotic incident involving Left-wing students that resulted in injuries to Education Minister Bratya Basu. The turmoil erupted on Saturday when the Minister’s vehicle was reportedly obstructed upon entering the campus, leading to a confrontation. The students are demanding prompt elections for the university’s student council.
In total, five FIRs have been filed in connection with the incident, alongside the arrest of a former student from the university. Of the five FIRs, three have been lodged by the Trinamool Congress-affiliated West Bengal College & University Professors Association (WBCUPA), accusing the students of verbally assaulting the Minister and damaging university property.
Conversely, the students have also filed FIRs claiming that the Minister's vehicle intentionally struck them, resulting in serious injuries to two protesters. A former JU student, Sahel Ali, was apprehended by police late Saturday night.
The atmosphere remained charged late Saturday as the aftermath of the disturbances unfolded. Students, primarily aligned with the CPI(M)’s student faction, the Students' Federation of India (SFI), organized protests outside the university. They condemned what they described as an unprovoked assault on their peaceful demonstration by the Minister’s supporters and ruling party activists.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress supporters held counter-protests across the street, decrying the alleged harassment of the Minister.
As tensions escalated, a group of protesting students reportedly set fire to an office associated with a Trinamool Congress-affiliated organization located on campus.
In response, the SFI has declared plans for continued protests over the next two days. A protest march is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in the Jadavpur area, alongside a statewide strike on Monday across all colleges and universities.
During the protests on Saturday, the Minister suffered minor injuries and fell ill, necessitating a visit to the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital, from which he was later discharged.
