Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a sharp attack on Jadavpur University during an election rally in Baruipur, alleging that “anti-national slogans” are being written on the campus walls and that the institution is gradually losing its past reputation. Addressing supporters, he claimed that the university, once respected globally, is now witnessing a decline in its academic and cultural standing.
Modi said that Jadavpur University was originally built on a strong foundation of nationalism and academic excellence, but the current situation has changed significantly. He alleged that an atmosphere of disorder has replaced education, with students increasingly participating in protests instead of focusing on their studies. According to him, threats are being issued inside the campus, further deteriorating its environment.
The Prime Minister also linked the situation to governance, questioning the state government’s ability to safeguard educational institutions. He stated that a government which cannot protect one of its most prominent universities cannot be expected to secure the future of Bengal’s youth. He emphasized the need to restore a proper academic atmosphere instead of what he described as chaos.
The remarks drew immediate political reactions. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Joyprakash Majumdar dismissed the allegations, claiming that such situations are often encouraged by the BJP itself. Meanwhile, professor and Left candidate Partha Pratim Biswas also criticized the Prime Minister, stating that Jadavpur continues to rank highly in official assessments due to its strong academic and research environment, and remains a symbol of the country’s educational excellence.