Days after a sustained movement by the students of Jadavpur University led to the resignation of the University’s Vice-Chancellor Abhijit Chakrabarti, West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Saturday stressed the need of an ‘apolitical’ students’ union.
“The apolitical nature of the students’ union and the fact that there is a nominal form of students’ unrest has complimented the academic ambience of this college,” the Governor said while addressing students at the convocation of St. Xavier’s College.
Though Mr Tripathi had cautioned Mr Chakrabarti for his delay in taking action in connection with the molestation of a Jadavapur University student, he had urged the students of the University to have a ‘large heart and forgive” the Vice-Chancellor.
The University students however, continued with their agitation which led to Mr Chakrabarti’s ouster.
JU students celebrate victory
Later in the day, students of Jadavpur University assembled in front of Academy of Fine Arts in the city centre to celebrate the victory of their four-month movement.
The movement demanding the resignation of Mr .Chakrabarti started in September 2014 after a police crackdown on the students on campus.
The meeting, however, saw a thin turnout, a stark contrast to the victory march on Tuesday — organised a day after Mr. Chakrabarti announced his resignation.
The students also suspended their march to Raj Bhawan and organised a meeting at the venue instead.
Criticising Mr. Tripathi, who is also the University Chancellor, students said he had failed to sympathise with the students’ movement.
Stating that their movement would not come to an end with Mr. Chakrabarti’s resignation, the students said many more colleges in the State were suffering under autocratic norms of the authorities.
