Business Standard

Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 12:29 AM ISTEN Hindi

Notification Icon
userprofile IconSearch

Visva Bharati University

Former Visva-Bharati VC questioned on controversial plaques at Santiniketan

Former Visva-Bharati vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty was questioned by the police on Wednesday in two cases, including one related to the installation of plaques to commemorate UNESCO's world heritage tag to Santiniketan, officials said. A team of three policemen led by the officer-in-charge of Santiniketan police station Kasturi Mukherjee visited Chakraborty's residence in Bolpur in Birbhum district, and started questioning him, they said. The other case he is being interrogated relates to some objectionable comments he allegedly made against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, they added. A total of five cases have been filed against Chakraborty, whose controversy-marked tenure ended earlier this month. On Monday, he was interrogated in three cases. Two cases relate to his comments regarding Goddess Durga and the Bengali community, while one is over relocation of an e-rickshaw stand around the campus, officials said. "The entire interrogation process is being video-taped, which w

Former Visva-Bharati VC questioned on controversial plaques at Santiniketan
Updated On : 22 Nov 2023 | 4:00 PM IST

Committee formed to prepare Bengali plaque on Unesco honour to Santiniketan

Visva Bharati University on Monday said a committee has been formed to finalise the new Bengali plaque in place of the earlier one on UNESCO recognition to Santiniketan as a heritage site. The committee will also look through the already prepared Hindi and English texts of the new plaque to see that it is according to the instructions of the union education ministry, spokesperson of the central university, Mahua Banerjee said in an official statement. She said the acting Vice-chancellor Sanjoy Kumar Mallick has been advised that the installation of the official text of the UNESCO statement recognizing Santiniketan as a heritage site is of "immediate priority" and the ministry was assured that the university has no intention for unnecessary delay in carrying out the work. The ministry was informed that soon after the receipt of the draft statement, a committee was formed to finalise the Bengali version of the text of the plaque and to look through the texts for those in Hindi and ...

Committee formed to prepare Bengali plaque on Unesco honour to Santiniketan
Updated On : 20 Nov 2023 | 4:58 PM IST

Centre tells Visva Bharati to replace controversial plaques at Santiniketan

The Centre has asked Visva Bharati University to replace the controversial plaques commemorating UNESCO's award of World Heritage Site to Santiniketan, a varsity source said on Thursday. The Union education ministry has told the university to remove the plaques and replace them with ones having Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's name, the source added. Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhyay told PTI, "We cannot confirm anything about the plaques unless we have a written communique from the Union education ministry." Days after Santiniketan got the UNESCO tag on September 17, three plaques commemorating the honour came up in different parts of the campus having the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former VB vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty but did not mention Tagore's name, the founder of Santiniketan and Visva Bharati. This triggered an uproar from students, faculty and political parties. On October 26, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked Visva ..

Centre tells Visva Bharati to replace controversial plaques at Santiniketan
Updated On : 16 Nov 2023 | 6:59 PM IST

Bidyut Chakraborty retires as Visva-Bharati VC after controversial tenure

Visva-Bharati Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty, whose five-year tenure in the central university was riddled with controversies including the land row with economist Amartya Sen and the UNESCO plaque issue, retired on Wednesday. In a notification, the varsity said that Prof Sanjoy Kumar Mallik, the principal of Kala Bhavana (Institute of Fine Arts), was appointed as the officiating vice-chancellor. Mallik will perform the duties of the vice-chancellor with effect from forenoon of November 9 until a new vice-chancellor assumes office or until further orders of the Ministry of Education, the notification said. The tenure of Chakarborty, who became the university's VC in 2018, was full of controversies that often took political turns and landed in courts. The varsity in April this year directed Amartya Sen to vacate 1.38 acres of land on the Santiniketan campus claiming he is enjoying it unauthorisedly. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took the side of the Nobel Laureate and personall

Bidyut Chakraborty retires as Visva-Bharati VC after controversial tenure
Updated On : 08 Nov 2023 | 11:43 PM IST

Many plaques installed earlier did not bear Tagore's name: Visva Bharati

Visva-Bharati said many plaques installed on the campus in the past did not bear the name of Rabindranath Tagore, the university's founder, like the recent ones erected after Santiniketan was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The statement came amid controversy over three recent plaques that did not bear the name of the Nobel laureate, who had founded the institute over a century ago. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier urged the Centre to remove the plaques as they bear the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ex-officio Chancellor, and the VC but not that of Tagore. As no action was taken in this regard, workers of her party, the Trinamool Congress, staged a sit-in near the campus. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP had also called upon Visva-Bharati authorities to set right the omission of Tagore's name in the plaque as it involved the sentiments of millions of Bengalis. In a statement on Monday, Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua ...

Many plaques installed earlier did not bear Tagore's name: Visva Bharati
Updated On : 07 Nov 2023 | 10:06 AM IST

Tagore is an emotion, his memory cannot be obliterated: WB Governor

Maintaining that Rabindranath Tagore was an emotion, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Wednesday said that the Nobel laureate's memory cannot be obliterated or ignored. Bose made the comment when asked by reporters about the row over the plaques installed at the Visva-Bharati, founded by Tagore, to mark the UNESCO world heritage tag. The plaques installed at the central varsity's campus in Birbhum district's Santiniketan do not have Tagore's name, but those of PM Narendra Modi, who is the chancellor, and vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty. "Tagore is a feeling, an emotion felt in the blood and heart of Indians. There cannot be any instance where Gurudev's memory is obliterated or ignored. Gurudev enjoys the highest respect in the minds of all Indians," said Bose, who is also the rector of the varsity, on the sidelines of a programme. Santiniketan, where Tagore built Visva-Bharati over a century ago, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September. The Trinamool ..

Tagore is an emotion, his memory cannot be obliterated: WB Governor
Updated On : 01 Nov 2023 | 3:01 PM IST

Visva-Bharati V-C accuses protesting TMC leaders of threatening to kill him

Visva-Bharati Vice Chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty has lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that he received life threats from Trinamool Congress leaders who have been protesting outside the central varsity's campus in Santiniketan over the plaque row, a senior officer said on Tuesday. The VC emailed his complaint to the Santiniketan Police Station in West Bengal's Birbhum district on Monday, he said. Since October 27, workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress have been protesting outside the university campus, demanding the removal of the plaques on UNESCO World Heritage site status to Santiniketan for not bearing the name of Visva-Bharati founder Rabindranath Tagore. "The VC has sent a letter to us alleging that he has received life threats from some people who are staging a protest outside the university campus. We are looking into his complaint," the officer told PTI. Chakrabarty, in his complaint, has accused TMC leaders of threatening to kill him and he is scared about h

Visva-Bharati V-C accuses protesting TMC leaders of threatening to kill him
Updated On : 31 Oct 2023 | 2:46 PM IST

Work on to make new plaque under ASI norms: Visva-Bharati VC to Bengal CM

Visva-Bharati vice-chancellor on Sunday said work was underway to "prepare" a plaque retaining UNESCO's declaration of Santiniketan as a world heritage site and in adherence to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) guidelines. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urged the Centre to remove the plaques on UNESCO World Heritage Site status to Santiniketan for not bearing the name of Visva-Bharati founder Rabindranath Tagore. In a letter to Banerjee, vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty called upon her "not to continue to form your opinion on the basis of what your sycophants convey". "I wonder whether you are perturbed that in the plaque, Rabindranath does not figureI just would like to draw your attention to our difficulties," Chakraborty said. Urging Banerjee to "please apply your mind," the VC said, "UNESCO declared Santiniketan as a World Heritage Site and we need to follow the ASI instructions while preparing the plaque and we are doing it, the result of which wil

Work on to make new plaque under ASI norms: Visva-Bharati VC to Bengal CM
Updated On : 29 Oct 2023 | 9:18 PM IST

After plaque row, Visva Bharati says it was a temporary structure

Visva Bharati University on Wednesday said the plaque, which triggered a row to mark the UNESCO heritage status to Santiniketan, was just a temporary structure to demarcate the heritage site. The plaque set up at several places in the sprawling campus of the central university bore the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is ex-officio Chancellor of the university, and Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty, but does not have any mention of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore who set up the varsity. Reacting to this, TMC's Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar had earlier said, "UNESCO specifically said they are honouring Rabindranath Tagore and his unique legacy by declaring Santiniketan as a World Heritage Site. A megalomaniac V-C and his boss seem to think UNESCO is honouring them!!," A section of ashramites and left-leaning student activists had also objected to the move. When contacted, Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhyay told PTI, "It was a purely temporary structure raised to ...

After plaque row, Visva Bharati says it was a temporary structure
Updated On : 25 Oct 2023 | 2:34 PM IST

Visva Bharati sends fresh letter to Bengal CM demanding return of road

Visva Bharati Vice Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty has sent another letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to consider the central university's request for the return of a road lined by heritage buildings on the campus to the institution. The three-km road, connecting Post Office More with Sriniketan, was taken over by the Public Works Department of the state government from the university in 2020 "to facilitate better connectivity". The varsity has been demanding the return of the road to protect the heritage structures lined along it. This was the VC's second letter to the CM, after one on September 25, since Santiniketan was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on September 17. The fresh letter sent to the CM on Saturday, a copy of which is available with PTI, read: "The UNESCO tag given to Santiniketan by the International Committee for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is likely to be withdrawn... if steps are not taken to protect the heritage properti

Visva Bharati sends fresh letter to Bengal CM demanding return of road
Updated On : 01 Oct 2023 | 9:44 AM IST

Won't hesitate to take steps: Visva-Bharati on land row with Amartya Sen

In a veiled attack on Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Visva-Bharati authorities have said that it will not hesitate to take steps if any "internationally acclaimed" educationist violates the law to grab the central university's land. Without naming Sen, Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhyay said, in a statement in Bengali, that the varsity would not comment on the land issue as the matter is sub-judice. Every necessary step "to stop illegal activities and malpractices" will continue to be taken by the authorities, it said. Sen, who is currently living at his Santiniketan residence Pratichi, interacted with the media and a group of students on Wednesday. Asked by a visitor about "the humiliation faced by him in the land controversy", the Nobel laureate economist had reportedly said, "I don't think anyone can insult me as we have been living on this piece of land for 90 years". Referring to the conversation, the statement, issued on Thursday, said, "Visva Bharati has never ...

Won't hesitate to take steps: Visva-Bharati on land row with Amartya Sen
Updated On : 07 Jul 2023 | 12:22 PM IST

Mamata asks ministers to sit-in outside Sen's house over eviction notice

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked state ministers to begin a sit-in outside Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's residence in Santiniketan in Birbhum district to protest against the Visva-Bharati's eviction notice, an official said. During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Banerjee asked MSME Minister Chandranath Sinha, the local MLA, to lead the protest, which will be joined by Education Minister Bratya Basu and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim. She asked them not to move from the spot even if the central university authorities send bulldozers to take possession of the land. Bauls and other folk artistes from the district must be involved in the demonstration, and various cultural programmes should be organised there, she told the ministers, according to the official. Singer Kabir Suman and painter Subhaprasanna will also join the programme on May 6 and 7, the official said, quoting her. "The CM advised them not to move an inch even if Visva-Bharati sends bulldozers

Mamata asks ministers to sit-in outside Sen's house over eviction notice
Updated On : 03 May 2023 | 1:17 PM IST

Ex-Visva Bharati student complains against V-C for harassing Amartya Sen

A former student of Visva Bharati has filed a complaint with police against Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty and two other officials, accusing them of causing "mental harassment" to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over land eviction. The complainant, Trisha Rani Bhattacharya, took exception to the "verbal abuse of such a personality by calling him a land grabber and encroacher", and demanded strict action as per legal provisions. Bhattacharya, in a letter to the Officer-in-Charge of Santiniketan police station in Birbhum district, also made allegations against Deputy Registrar Ashok Mahato and university spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhay, apart from the VC. An officer of Santiniketan police station confirmed receipt of the complaint as a general diary on Tuesday evening. "I am scared the continuing volley of attacks on Sen may inflict a big mishap on his life, as he is bound to feel anguished," she said in the letter. "I should have lodged the complaint earlier. The humiliation of a ..

Ex-Visva Bharati student complains against V-C for harassing Amartya Sen
Updated On : 26 Apr 2023 | 2:12 PM IST

Amartya Sen-Visva Bharati land row turns into political slugfest in WB

A political hullabaloo erupted over this observation of Sen, ignoring his supplementary observations on this point

Amartya Sen-Visva Bharati land row turns into political slugfest in WB
Updated On : 20 Apr 2023 | 11:38 PM IST

Visva-Bharati tells Amartya Sen to vacate 13 decimals of land by May 6

Visva-Bharati University in an eviction order has asked Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to vacate the 13 decimals of land which he has been allegedly occupying in an unauthorised manner by May 6 or within 15 days of the publication of the last order on April 19. Contending as per government of India advisories and CAG reports the century-old Central institution was in urgent need of getting control of encroachments and also submit report to the ministry, the notice said "Amartya Kumar Sen and all concerned persons are liable to be evicted from the said premises, if need be, by use of such force as may be necessary." "It is decided that 13 decimals of land having the dimension of 50 ft x 111 ft in the north-west corner of the scheduled premises is to be recovered from him," the notice said. "Thus he can lawfully occupy 1.25 acres of land only, as lesses (for the residual period of lease) in the scheduled premises. He does not have the authority to occupy 1.38 acres of land in the schedule

Visva-Bharati tells Amartya Sen to vacate 13 decimals of land by May 6
Updated On : 20 Apr 2023 | 5:16 PM IST

Visva Bharati Non-Teaching Recruitment 2023: All you need to know

The online application registration process for Visva Bharati Non-Teaching Recruitment 2023 began on April 17 and ends on May 16

Visva Bharati Non-Teaching Recruitment 2023: All you need to know
Updated On : 19 Apr 2023 | 7:09 PM IST

Court intervention or discussion: Visva-Bharati gives Amartya Sen 2 options

Amid the exchange of words between Visva-Bharati and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over the economist's alleged unauthorised possession of land, the university on Sunday asked the economist either to discuss the matter with it or the issue will be settled in court. The central university issued a statement saying it is putting facts on record and requests Sen to do what is required to be done to protect his self-esteem and Visva-Bharati's reputation. Two options are open: the confusion that Prof Sen seems to be happily nurturing shall be cleared with the intervention of the court of law or through discussion with the Visva-Bharati authority, the statement read. Alleging that a mudslinging is taking place by those seeking to fulfil their vested interests over the matter, the statement said the issue needs to be addressed freely and frankly with no baggage carried from distortions of the reality. The university sent two letters within three days last week to Sen, asking him to immediate

Court intervention or discussion: Visva-Bharati gives Amartya Sen 2 options
Updated On : 30 Jan 2023 | 8:19 AM IST

Visva-Bharati shifts from tradition, holds spring fest ahead of Dol Purnima

In a departure fromtradition, the Visva-Bharati authorities organised the annual Basanta Utsab (spring festival) on Tuesday, instead of the usual day of 'Dol Purnima' on March 28

Visva-Bharati shifts from tradition, holds spring fest ahead of Dol Purnima
Updated On : 17 Mar 2021 | 12:00 AM IST

PM Modi to address Visva-Bharati university convocation on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the convocation of the Visva-Bharati University on Friday via video conferencing, the Prime Minister's Office said.

PM Modi to address Visva-Bharati university convocation on Friday
Updated On : 17 Feb 2021 | 10:20 PM IST

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen thanks Mamata Banerjee for her support

Sen thanked Mamata Banerjee for supporting him after his family was accused by the Visva Bharati of being in "illegal" possession of land on the campus

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen thanks Mamata Banerjee for her support
Updated On : 28 Dec 2020 | 4:50 PM IST