Jadavpur University condemns 'anti-national' slogans, distances itself from fringe elements

Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Suranjan Das on Wednesday clarified that the students of the university had no role in the protest which raised anti-national slogans, adding that it was certain fringe elements that were behind the incident.

"Jadavpur University will not support any anti-national activity. I spoke to the student representatives and they have categorically stated that they had no role in the protest. Students have said that they do not endorse anti-national slogans. That rally was not officially convened by the students' union," he said.

"Certain fringe elements raised the slogans, we condemn it. Entire university can't be defamed. I will never govern the university with the police's help, it is an autonomous body. I have not yet received any letter. If we receive any letter we will pursue internal university mechanism to probe. The rally started from Jadavpur and then roamed around other streets. The students' union has categorically stated they have disassociated from particular fringe elements who raised slogans," he added.

Das further stated that the Jadavpur University has a very historic background, adding that it freedom of speech and right to dissent is there.

"During the pre-Independence, lots of protest took from Jadavpur University, but on a perspective thought. Jadavpur University is very liberal in expressing thoughts. It is a place where people from all ideologies co-exist together," he said.

Das firmly pointed out that the age old university should be a place of dialogue and dissent within the democracy, adding that it is the responsibility of the university authority to protect freedom of speech and expression.

"We do not support any anti-national elements or slogans. We will try to talk to those students involved in those activities so that these things don't take place in the future," he said.

He also said, "If anyone puts up any anti- India poster, the university will speak to those students. If I get a report I will act according to the university procedures."

Asserting that the university is an autonomous institution, Das said that the police should not meddle with the business of the varsity.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) earlier today sought a report from the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) Government in West Bengal over the protest by Jadavpur University students.

The ongoing protests in Delhi against the crackdown on the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) reached Jadavpur University yesterday.

The students of Jadavpur University took out a torch rally yesterday and raised slogans against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

The students, affiliated to various Left Parties, took to the streets in Kolkata to protest the alleged police atrocities inside the JNU campus.