Kolkata, Sep 9 (PTI) The All Bengal University Teachers’ Association (ABUTA) on Wednesday appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Governor R N Ravi to take effective steps to ensure a peaceful and secure academic environment on the Jadavpur University campus and protect the institution’s autonomy.
In a statement, the left-leaning ABUTA said there was growing concern over a series of political programmes being organised on the campus and next to the campus following the incidents of a clash between ABVP and left students on August 19-20.
The professors’ association referred to programmes including the Vande Mataram event on August 18, the Nationalist Conference on September 3 and the “Saffron Honour March” on September 9, for which four gates of the university were kept closed.
“Such programmes have created an atmosphere of fear, anxiety and insecurity on the campus and affected the normal environment for teaching, learning and research,” the association claimed.
“We are not opposed to any political expression or any particular slogan. Our point is that the university campus should not become a venue for political gatherings or demonstrations of strength by outsiders,” the ABUTA said.
“Jadavpur University is a space for education, research, free thought and democratic intellectual discourse, and it is essential to protect its autonomy,” the teachers’ association said.
ABUTA urged the chief minister and the Governor-Chancellor to take effective measures to maintain a peaceful and safe academic environment on the campus and to conduct an impartial review of the situation following the August 19-20 incidents.
Adhikari on Wednesday vowed to “uproot” forces raising slogans such as “Kashmir wants freedom” and “red salute” on Jadavpur University campus, asserting that he would not tolerate any insult to the saffron colour.
Addressing a gathering outside the campus after leading the 3-km ‘Gerua Samman Yatra’ from Golpark, Adhikari described the varsity as the land of Sri Aurobindo.
“I will not tolerate the insult of saffron. I have given a clear message. The West Bengal chief minister knows how to wipe out ‘Kashmir Mange Azadi’ and ‘red salute’ from Jadavpur,” he said.
“I have taken a vow that from Jadavpur, the land of Sri Aurobindo and a centre of excellence, I will uproot those who raise ‘Kashmir Mange Azadi’ slogans and those who have supported the ‘kisan’ (sic) movement,” he added.
Adhikari announced he would visit the area again, saying those who insult saffron should be “taught a lesson” through religious programmes.
“I will come again to teach them a lesson through recitation of the Gita and the Hanuman Chalisa,” he said. PTI SUS RG
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