Jadavpur University clashes: Probe panel hits hurdle as head declines charge

The head of the Jadavpur University (JU)-appointed three-member probe committee to investigate clashes between groups of the CPI(M) student wing SFI and ABVP on the university campus has declined the assignment.

Amid the two consecutive clashes, first on the intervening night of Aug 19 and Aug 20 and then again on Aug 20 afternoon, the university announced a three-member probe committee to be headed by former vice-chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University, Subha Shankar Sarkar, with the other two members being the vice chancellor of the Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University, Arunasish Goswami and Director of the (Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Presidency University, Soumendu Chattopadhyay.

However, sources said Sarkar sent an email to the JU authorities on Saturday evening expressing his disinclination to take charge as head of the three-member probe committee.

This has raised questions about the future of the investigation committee. Speculations have surfaced about whether the committee will even be able to begin work as scheduled.

It is learnt that Sarkar’s email expressing disinclination had come amid objections to his appointment as head of the probe committee raised by Akhil Bhartiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM).

ABRSM reportedly raised objections on grounds that Sarkar’s name was involved in teachers’ recruitment cases during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime in West Bengal. However, a JU insider pointed out that Sarkar had emailed the university authorities refusing to take over as the head of the investigation committee before ABRSM officially raised objections about his appointment

“Hence, it cannot be said for certain that his decision had anything to do with the ABRSM’s objections,” the JU insider said.

Following this development, the JU authorities now have two options. The first is to get a replacement for Sarkar as the head of the probe committee, and the second option is to announce a new panel with fresh members.

The JU authorities may announce their decision on Monday, sources said.

Incidentally, on Saturday evening, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that as the administrative head of the state, he is determined to end anti‑national activities at JU and establish the spirit of nationalism there “at any cost”.

“They do not let Vande Mataram be sung in JU. The national flag is not hoisted there. They do not let the Education Department officials enter the university campus. They do not let CCTV cameras be installed there. But we will establish nationalism inside and outside Jadavpur,” the Chief Minister said,

“Except for the headline, no changes have been made to the story by Education Post staff.”