The Calcutta High Court, in a significant ruling on Thursday, directed Jadavpur University to refrain from inviting any political functionary to events and programs organized by the institution. The court emphasized that all such functions should be conducted exclusively with the participation of academicians and that political figures should not be involved in any capacity.
This directive came in light of a recent incident involving West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu, whose vehicle was allegedly damaged during his visit to the university. A division bench led by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam took note of the incident and questioned the rationale behind the minister’s decision to visit the campus if the prevailing conditions there were not conducive for such a visit.
The court firmly instructed Jadavpur University to ensure that no political leaders or officials were invited to any events or functions hosted by the institution. The bench, which also included Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das), mandated that only academicians should be allowed to participate in the university’s academic programs, conferences, and seminars.
The case was brought before the High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleged widespread lawlessness and indiscipline within the university campus. The petitioner, raising concerns over campus safety and governance, urged the court to intervene and take necessary measures to restore order and discipline at the esteemed institution.
It was alleged that a specific faction of students, affiliated with certain political ideologies, was responsible for fostering an atmosphere of unrest and disrupting the normal functioning of the university. The petitioner highlighted the chaotic scenes that unfolded on March 1, when a group of students staged a protest near the education minister’s vehicle during his visit to the campus for a scheduled meeting.
The situation escalated further when a student was reportedly injured after being hit by the minister’s car during the protest. Following the incident, multiple FIRs were registered by the police, including one filed by the injured student, as per an earlier directive issued by the High Court.
In their plea, the petitioners sought several measures to enhance the safety and security of the university’s faculty members, both teaching and non-teaching, as well as students. The petition called for securing the university premises, including hostels, by deploying armed state police or central forces under the supervision of the Kolkata Police. Additionally, the petitioner urged the establishment of a special investigation team (SIT) to thoroughly probe all crimes that have occurred within the university in recent years.
Another significant request made by the petitioner was the establishment of a permanent police outpost within the main campus of Jadavpur University, which is located in the southern part of Kolkata. Such a move, they argued, would help in maintaining law and order on the premises and prevent future incidents of violence and unrest.
During the hearing, the lawyer representing Jadavpur University informed the court that a virtual meeting chaired by the vice-chancellor had taken place on March 15. In this meeting, several key decisions were made to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of the university. However, the court was not entirely satisfied with these assurances and directed the university administration to submit an affidavit within three weeks detailing the specific steps taken to implement these decisions effectively. The matter is scheduled for another hearing, during which the court will assess the university’s progress in implementing these measures.
The High Court, in its observations, emphasized that only legitimate students should be allowed entry into the university premises and that hostel accommodations should be strictly regulated. If any unauthorized persons were found residing in hostels, appropriate action must be taken. The bench made it clear that the university authorities could not absolve themselves of the responsibility of controlling entry and exit within the campus, stating that it was well within their capacity to regulate access to university facilities.
The university’s counsel also informed the court that campus security was currently managed by private security agencies. However, the bench raised concerns about the adequacy of private security personnel in ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and administrative staff. The court expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such agencies, given the large number of FIRs that have been registered at the Jadavpur police station since 2014 concerning incidents related to the university. The court noted that this issue would need to be examined in further detail during subsequent hearings.
The High Court also pointed out that it was unclear why the university had not sought police assistance from the state government to manage security concerns. The court indicated that this aspect would be closely examined in the upcoming hearings to determine whether any lapses had occurred on the part of the university administration in ensuring campus safety.
This ruling is expected to have significant implications for the administration and governance of Jadavpur University, reinforcing the need for stricter campus regulations, improved security measures, and the preservation of the institution as a hub of academic excellence, free from political influence and disruptions.