Jadavpur University officials stage sit-in protest, allege harassment by students

The Interim Vice-Chancellor of the Jadavpur University, Buddhadeb Sau, and a few Executive Committee (EC) members embarked on a sit-in protest. The sit-in, which commenced on Wednesday night, was initiated by the Vice-Chancellor and EC members in response to what they described as 'insults and harassment' by students. The university sources have confirmed that this unique demonstration was organized following a sudden EC meeting convened on Wednesday afternoon, with the intention of addressing various issues apart from concerns related to student deaths and the ongoing dengue outbreak.

During the meeting, however, students began shouting slogans, rendering discussions impossible. Faced with incessant sloganeering, the Vice-Chancellor and some EC members decided to stage a dharna (sit-in protest). Among those participating in this unique demonstration are the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Dean of Science, and several other Deans. , Buddhadeb Sau emphasized that their protest action, which he referred to as a 'Satyagraha movement,' aimed to draw attention to the alleged humiliation and harassment faced by students during the EC meeting, which had continued for approximately four to five hours. They conducted the sit-in at the University's Arvind Bhawan's car porch throughout the night.

The unexpected sit-in by the Vice-Chancellor and members of the Executive Committee at Jadavpur University has added a new dimension to the ongoing tensions within the institution. Their demonstration, sparked by what they perceive as 'insults and harassment' at the hands of students, occurred during an EC meeting intended to address various university issues. The decision to stage a dharna came after students disrupted the meeting with slogans, with university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, participating in this form of protest throughout the night.