Former Visva Bharati VC Bidyut Chakraborty faces police probe

Police are currently at the residence of Bidyut Chakraborty, the former Vice Chancellor of Visva Bharati University, conducting an investigation based on five complaints filed against him. The Officer-in-Charge of Shantiniketan police station, along with four others, is engaged in the questioning process. Sources indicate that the question and answer session is being video recorded, and a written record of the interrogation will be signed by Bidyut Chakraborty later.

Bidyut Chakraborty, who has been embroiled in various controversies during his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of Visva Bharati University, faced disputes over his speeches and direct conflicts with the state's ruling party. Despite the expiration of his tenure, it was not extended, and Sanjay Kumar Mallick, the Principal of Kala Bhavan, has been appointed as the Interim Vice-Chancellor.

The controversy surrounding plaques installed on the university campus, following UNESCO's World Heritage status, has added to the challenges faced by Bidyut Chakraborty. The plaques, which did not include the name of Rabindranath Tagore but mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chancellor, led to widespread criticism. Despite resistance, Visva Bharati authorities insisted that the plaques would not be changed. Subsequently, Bidyut Chakraborty received a notice from the police regarding the plaque dispute.

On November 14, the former Vice Chancellor was issued an appearance notice at Santiniketan police station in connection with a case filed by Shantiniketan Trust secretary Anil Koner related to the plaque controversy. The Union Education Ministry had also ordered the change of the controversial plaque. Visva Bharati authorities, in response to the ministry's directive, formed a committee comprising four members to determine the content of the new plaque.