Governor raises red flags over Jadavpur University convocation, questions EC meeting and approval process

Jadavpur University’s convocation ceremony, scheduled for December 24, is now embroiled in controversy after the Governor raised concerns about the University's adherence to proper procedures. The issue began when the University convened a meeting of the Election Commission (EC) on December 17 to make key decisions regarding the convocation, including the number of degrees to be awarded. The University proceeded with this meeting without obtaining prior approval from the Raj Bhavan, as required by protocol. Following the meeting, the University informed the Raj Bhavan about the decisions, which included the list of recipients for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

In response to this, the Governor issued a showcause notice to the Vice-Chancellor, questioning why the University did not seek prior permission before holding the meeting. The Governor’s office emphasized that the approval of the Raj Bhavan is necessary before any EC meeting regarding the convocation can take place. The notice asks the Vice-Chancellor to explain why this step was bypassed, as such actions could be seen as a breach of established protocols for events of this nature.

This is not the first time that procedural issues have caused friction between the University and the Governor. Last year, a similar dispute arose when the Governor directed the University to cancel the convocation for not following the proper approval processes. Despite this order, the University went ahead with the event. This year, faculty members have stressed that all preparations for the convocation are complete and they hope to avoid any complications that could delay or cancel the ceremony. They emphasized that the event will be conducted in full compliance with the rules, focusing on the best interests of the students.

In addition to the procedural concerns, the Governor has also questioned the practical aspects of the convocation. Specifically, he raised doubts about how a large number of certificates could be signed in the limited time before the event. While this concern remains unaddressed, the Governor's office has indicated that a decision regarding the event will be made keeping student welfare in mind.

This year, Jadavpur University has decided not to award honorary degrees, such as D.Sc or D.Litt, at the convocation, focusing solely on the presentation of regular undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Former IIT Kharagpur Director Amitabh Ghosh is scheduled to be a special guest at the ceremony. Despite the ongoing concerns, the University has indicated that preparations for the event are moving forward, pending any further developments regarding the approval process.