Jadavpur University's Acting Vice-Chancellor Removed Early Amid Rising Uncertainty

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 26, 2025, Kolkata : In a surprising move, Raj Bhavan has removed Professor Bhaskar Gupta from his role as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University ahead of the end of his tenure. Despite his term as a professor running until March 31, a notification issued on March 27 confirmed that he would no longer serve as Vice-Chancellor. The decision, taken with the approval of the university's Chancellor and Governor C.V. Anand Bose, has sparked widespread discussion.

The official notification from Raj Bhavan stated, "The responsibility given to Professor Bhaskar Gupta as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University on April 20, 2024, is being withdrawn. This will take effect immediately." A formal instruction has also been sent to the university's registrar to ensure smooth communication of the decision.

In response, Professor Gupta addressed the situation, clarifying that he took over the position on April 22, 2024, and was removed four days ago. He confirmed that he would remain a professor in the Electronics and Telecommunications Department until March 31, reflecting on his efforts to contribute to the development of the university during his brief tenure as Vice-Chancellor.

The abrupt removal of Gupta has raised questions about the political and administrative motives behind the decision. Some have suggested that the sudden leadership change may trigger further instability within the university. Currently, Jadavpur University is left without a Vice-Chancellor, leading to concerns about its future direction.

This development comes amid a broader issue of vice-chancellor appointments across West Bengal. The state has already seen permanent vice-chancellors appointed to 19 of its 36 universities following a Supreme Court order. However, 16 universities, including Jadavpur, remain without permanent leadership, fueling ongoing debates about governance and the appointment process.

With the uncertainty surrounding Gupta’s replacement, many are anxious about the potential disruption to the university’s administrative operations. The delay in appointing a new Vice-Chancellor has sparked further concern, particularly in light of the strained relationship between the state government and Raj Bhavan.

State Education Minister Bratya Basu strongly criticized the situation, drawing parallels between the deadlock at Jadavpur and previous delays in appointing Vice-Chancellors at Rabindra Bharati and Calcutta Universities. He stated, "One person could have been appointed as the permanent Vice-Chancellor from the list provided by the Chief Minister, but the Governor’s decision has instead resulted in yet another deadlock."

With no detailed explanation from Raj Bhavan regarding the issue, the question remains: when will Jadavpur University have a new Vice-Chancellor? Many worry that the ongoing uncertainty will only exacerbate administrative challenges at the university, and a portion of students fears that prolonged delays could lead to further complications. As tensions continue to rise, the future of the university's leadership remains in flux.