JU VC back after 17 days, talks exams, student polls & police outpost

After 17 days, Jadavpur University’s acting Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta resumed duty on Monday at 10:50 AM. He first held a meeting with administrative officials, the registrar, and key office bearers to discuss pending undergraduate and postgraduate examinations that could not be conducted in recent weeks. The examination committee was consulted on rescheduling these exams, but no final decision was announced.

Gupta had been absent since March 1, when tensions escalated on campus during a conference of ‘WEBKUPA,’ a Trinamool-affiliated teachers’ body. State Education Minister Bratya Basu was confronted by protesting students, leading to clashes where several students were injured. Later that night, Gupta visited the hospital to check on the injured but faced protests from students. Following this incident, he developed health issues and stayed away from office on medical advice.

Medical professionals have now advised him to avoid excessive stress. His wife consulted doctors on Monday morning before he returned to campus for a limited period. While back at work, Gupta addressed key administrative matters, including the executive committee meeting. “As an acting Vice-Chancellor, I need government approval to convene the meeting. We will soon request permission,” he stated, emphasizing that discussions on recent university developments were necessary.

Gupta also reiterated his support for student union elections, stating that he has repeatedly urged the government to allow them. “I am in favor of elections. They are necessary for a healthy university environment,” he said. He also confirmed receiving a proposal for a police outpost and barracks inside the campus, which will be discussed in the executive committee meeting. The police have requested 4,000 square feet of land, but Gupta indicated that space constraints could be a challenge.

Despite his return, campus unrest continued. Regular classes resumed, but students from the Faculty of Arts staged a sit-in outside ‘Suvarṇa Jayanti Bhavan,’ demanding action against Trinamool-linked professor Omprakash Mishra. Protesting students held open-air classes, refusing to enter the building until their demands were addressed. No official response from the university administration was issued regarding their protest.