Jadavpur University Incident Raises Concerns Over Student Unrest and Political Undercurrents, Court Calls for Vigilance

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 7, 2025, Kolkata :  In the aftermath of the events at Jadavpur University last Saturday and Sunday, a growing debate has emerged about whether these incidents were mere coincidences or part of a larger, more purposeful unrest. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh has criticized the failure of both the intelligence department and the police administration in handling the situation, expressing concerns that if left unchecked, such chaos could escalate across the state. The judge’s warnings are particularly significant, given that the upcoming assembly elections are fast approaching, with the police needing to remain highly vigilant.

Justice Ghosh also highlighted the potential dangers of protesters getting too close to those under police protection, comparing the situation to the instability seen in neighboring states. He emphasized that both sides of the conflict need to take responsibility, as once chaos ensues, it becomes difficult to regain control. However, he did not address the underlying issue that may have contributed to the incident—the delayed student elections in colleges and universities across West Bengal. If these elections had been held on time, it is argued, the situation at Jadavpur University may never have arisen.

The absence of student elections has left a power vacuum in student organizations, which are often seen as anti-institutional. In this context, fair elections could potentially result in outcomes unfavorable to the ruling party, raising suspicions that political maneuvering may be at play. The BJP has echoed this sentiment, with Sukanta Majumdar accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of attempting to revive the SFI (Students Federation of India) and, by extension, the CPI(M). Majumdar also warned that Hindus in West Bengal were becoming increasingly concerned about a potential "Bangladesh 'Part Two'" scenario, fearing that their votes were being divided, potentially paving the way for a BJP-led government.

In response to these political accusations, the SFI has vehemently denied any such allegations. They maintain that their discussions with the Education Minister centered around university elections, and that the events at Jadavpur University were fueled by a specific incident involving a student being injured in the Education Minister's car.

Despite these political debates, one thing is clear: the anti-government student movement in West Bengal has been gaining momentum since the RG Kar incident. The court, in its observations, referenced the situation in neighboring Bangladesh, where student unrest had been manipulated by separatist and extremist forces, leading to significant political instability. The court’s warning serves as a reminder of the volatile situation that could unfold if similar unrest were to spread in West Bengal.

Only time will tell how these events will evolve, but it is clear that the political, social, and security landscape of West Bengal is currently at a delicate crossroads. The state government must take heed of these warnings and address the root causes of student unrest before the situation spirals further out of control.