As news spreads of yesterday's heinous attack by police and 'unidentified' outsiders on peacefully protesting students' in Jadavpur University, the VC and the state government are at the receiving end of severe condemnation from the public.
The University has lately been in turmoil over the alleged molestation of a student of the arts faculty. Students' were demanding an unbiased investigation into the matter and had expressed reservations about the inclusion of certain names in the committee responsible for the enquiry. There were allegations that the accused were being shielded because of their ties with the ruling party's students cell. Yesterday night while students' were sitting in for a demonstration at the administrative block demanding to meet the VC, police were called in. Lights in front of Aurobindo Bhavan, the main building and VCs office, were suddenly turned off and in the darkness armed police and the group of unidentified outsiders who had brought out the VC pounced on the assembled students' with unexpected ruthlessness. Eyewitness accounts describe how girls were pushed down and pumelled with blows, to the extent of tearing their clothes, in the absence of lady officials. Moreover the outsiders who claimed to be plain clothes policemen could not show their identity cards. As more reports come in it is gradually becoming clear that these were TMC strongmen come to discharge their 'duty' of protecting the VC who has repeatedly and openly declared his allegiance to the TMC.
The student community sees through this as a plot to foreclose and dilute the molestation case. SFI demands the resignation of the VC and the immediate intervention of the Chancellor. SFI also demands that the true identities of the outsiders claiming to be plain clothes police be investigated and exposed.
The state education minister's statement in this regard asking the students to come to their senses is downright unacceptable. The entire protest was based on a just cause and nowhere had any objectionable means been used by the students. SFI demands that the minister seeks a public apology and withdraws his comment.
There was a road block and demonstration at Jadavpur 8B bus stand today afternoon for almost an hour by the SFI. A huge rally composed off University students, alumni, teachers and the other concerned citizens struck the streets.
Tomorrow four left student organisations including the SFI have called for a state wide student's strike. Black badges will be worn across campuses. At 4pm tomorrow there will be a protest march from Dhakuria bus stand to Jadavpur 8B. All students of colleges and universities, alumni, teachers, concerned citizens are called upon to join in. Other student organisations who share our rage are welcome to participate with their own banners.
