Calcutta HC orders Jadavpur Univ not to invite politicians to events on campus
The high court said it had its doubts if a private security agency could provide sufficient security to the students, teachers and non-teaching staff
KOLKATA: The Calcutta high court on Thursday directed the Jadavpur University not to invite any politicians in functions organised on its campus.
“If the situation in the university is not conducive, it is not clear as to why important persons are to accept invitations from the university which may have a negative impact. Therefore, there will be a direction on the university not to conduct any functions or seminars in which political functionaries are invited. If such seminars or functions are to be conducted, it shall be conducted by inviting academicians,” a division bench headed by chief justice TS Sivagnanam said on Thursday.
The bench was hearing a petition that sought the court’s intervention to address lawlessness and indiscipline on the campus after a group of students allegedly attacked West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu’s car when he was visiting the campus. A student was injured in the incident and a union room was set on fire by some students.
Basu had gone to attend the annual general meeting of the West Bengal College and University Professors’ Association (WBCUPA), the teachers’ wing of the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The high court was told that a private security agency handled the university’s security and the police could only enter the campus on a request of the university authorities.
“The question is whether a private security agency will be in a position to provide sufficient security to the students, teachers and non-teaching staff. We have our own doubts. This is, however, a prima facie view. This (doubt) has arisen taking note of the large number of FIRs registered since 2014 concerning the university. It is not clear as to why the university has not approached the state government for necessary police assistance. It will be considered on the next hearing date,” the bench of Justice Sivagnanam said.
The court was informed that at least 23 FIRs have been lodged with the Jadavpur police station since 2014 in connection with incidents on the university campus.
“First of all, you need to flush out people who are no longer students,” the bench said.
The high court had asked the university to file an affidavit within three weeks on the steps taken to maintain safety and security within the campus.