For the third time in less than a week, the authorities in colleges in West Bengal came under attack during a “student protest” when the Principal of Rampurhat College in Birbhum district, Sibashish Banerjee, fainted during a gherao by students of the institution on Wednesday.
“Students of a particular union came to the office of the Principal protesting remarks made by him on the violence that occurred on the premises on Tuesday. They surrounded him and were so aggressive that he fell ill. Their demonstration had gone on for about an hour after which he fell unconscious,” Jaydeb Pan a teacher at the College told The Hindu over telephone.
Mr. Banerjee was immediately rushed to hospital.
The incident was followed by an attack on the premises of the college by a group of students. Mr. Banerjee had told journalists that he had received threats from supporters of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad.
Protesting the remarks made by Mr. Banerjee, the students had started the demonstration, Mr. Pan added.
“I think we need to take very stern action. Principals and teachers are very important persons in our lives. If students are taking to rowdy behaviour, we should take stern action,” Governor M. K. Narayanan told journalists when asked to comment on the incident.
