Students pull hair, tears clothes of minister, he hurls abuse, elbows a student in Jadavpur University

Kolkata: It seems, like the confrontation of Student Unions of Jadavpur University (JU) with Union Minister Babul Supriyo is not going to melt down easily as the Student Federation of India (JU Chapter) and all other Left affiliated student unions across the city assembled together to lodge a formal complain against Supriyo and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parisad (ABVP) members who ransacked the SFI Union rooms within the JU campus.

Meanwhile, newly entrant to BJP, West Bengal, Agnimitra Paul, a fashion designer-turned-politician too lodged a counter-complaint against the SFI and Left affiliated unions of JU.

The clash between ABVP and Left might not be a new thing for Delhi, but such clashes are now becoming frequent in Kolkata too, especially JU. Last time that hooliganism of this stature took place in Kolkata was when Vidyasagar’s bust was ransacked at Vidyasagar College. This took place when the present Home Minister Amit Shah’s convoy was passing College Street area and a scuffle broke out when TMC Student Union leaders chanted “Amit Shah Go Back” from the college campus.

Supriyo while speaking to media persons said, “I am saddened by the way some students heckled me. They pulled my hair and even pushed me. The incident is deplorable.”

A similar slogan coined by JU student union leaders – “Babul Go Back” greeted the Union Minister when he entered the university campus on Thursday to attend a Freshers’ event organised by JU’s ABVP chapter. The unperturbed minister attended the event. The scuffle or clash took place when the event got over and Supriyo was on his way back and was again greeted by the same sloganeering inside the campus.

SFI leader, Debraj Debnath reacted, “We were back then also holding a peaceful demonstration. It was only after Babul Supriyo became aggressive with us, that the scuffle broke within the campus. And following this, the way ABVP goons ransacked the university in the presence of the Union Minister and the Governor speaks volume.

Following which Supriyo while speaking to media persons said, “I am saddened by the way some students heckled me. They pulled my hair and even pushed me. The incident is deplorable.” He even in an interaction hinted the Vice-Chancellor of being a Leftist and hence not allowing police to enter the university campus. Meanwhile, his PR team (@TeamBabul) tweeted, “@SuPriyoBabul Heckled at #JadavpurUniversity by Pro-Naxal Students, Barred From Participating in Freshers’ Event”.

But SFI leader, Debraj Debnath reacted, “We were back then also holding a peaceful demonstration. It was only after Babul Supriyo became aggressive with us, that the scuffle broke within the campus. And following this, the way ABVP goons ransacked the university in the presence of the Union Minister and the Governor speaks volume. Today again we shall be holding a peaceful rally at JU to condemn what ABVP goons have done to our union rooms and university. They had come armed with acid bombs and other inflammable substances.”

Adding to that another JU student, Saranya Basu, said, “I was present when the clash broke out. Believe me we had no intention of manhandling the Union Minister. In fact we had only wanted to black flag him. We had even created a barricade to help him attend the Fresher’s event organised by ABVP. However, when the event got over he began demanding an apology and went and sat atop the bonnet of the car that belonged to the Press. We agree that there was heated debate between us and him but the violence broke out only when he roughed up with the students. He even assaulted a female student. It was following this that things got violent. And we know all know how ABVP, Durga Vahini and others ransacked the college.”

Speaking to the incident that took place at JU, Prof Nandini Chatterjee, who is associated with JU’s Computer Science and Engineering Department and is also the Vice-President of Jadavpur University Teachers Associations (JUTA) told eNewsroom said, “I wasn’t present there when this incident took place. Whatever happened is condemnable. However, I believe had the Union Minister talked to the agitated students in a polite manner, the result would have been different.” She further added, “I have come to know from sources that many outsiders were seen alongside ABVP goons who ransacked the SFI union room and set ablaze some benches etc in front of the university gate. We have never witnessed such an attack on JU. However, I believe that no JU student is capable of doing such a thing, even if they are with ABVP. The violence the ensued is definitely by outsiders seeking to politically benefit a certain party.”

She added, “The situation is comparable to any university in Delhi where the Left has a significant presence. The ABVP goons always create such unpleasant situations in Universities and Colleges that have SFI or Leftist at the helm of the college or university union. Today’s incident is a clear indication of them trying the same here.”

Meanwhile, BJP has also alleged that the JU episode was pre-planned. However, amid all, pictures of Union Minister pulling the T-Shirt of the agitators have also emerged along with videos of ABVP members wreaking havoc within the University premise.

Repeated attempts to contact Suranjan Das, VC of JU, by eNewsroom remained unsuccessful.