NEW DELHI: A clash broke out between members of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) and All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) workers during a students’ strike called by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) across universities in West Bengal on Monday.
The strike demanded Education Minister Bratya Basu’s resignation following an incident where two students were injured by his convoy at Jadavpur University on March 1.
Confrontations were reported between TMC’s student wing and Leftist activists of AIDSO and SFI in multiple locations including Medinipur town, Siliguri, Cooch Behar district, and Panskura.
Jadavpur and Presidency universities in Kolkata remained largely empty as students, faculty, and staff stayed away while SFI members gathered to enforce the day-long strike that began at 10 am.
Other institutions like Calcutta University, Rabindra Bharati University, North Bengal University, and Burdwan University were partially affected with some classes canceled, though semester examinations continued as scheduled.
These campuses saw fewer SFI activists compared to JU and Presidency University, with Trinamool Chhatra Parishad members also present.
The strike did not disrupt vehicular movement or affect West Bengal board class 12 examinations, which also began Monday, as SFI activists allowed smooth passage to examination centers.
The strike was triggered by an incident where two students were injured when a car in Education Minister Basu’s convoy grazed past them during a confrontation at Jadavpur University. Basu himself was injured when protesters damaged his car’s windshield.
The incident occurred as Basu was leaving after attending the AGM of West Bengal College and University Professors Association, where he served as chairman of the TMC-aligned teachers’ body.
“Outsiders sheltered by the TMC had instigated the violence and vandalism on the Jadavpur University campus on Saturday during the AGM of WBCUPA in the presence of Basu,” alleged SFI state committee member Shuvajit Sarkar.
“The students only wanted to have a discussion with the education minister in the presence of vice-chancellor but he behaved in a high-handed manner with them and tried to leave the campus in a huff,” Sarkar told PTI, describing the events.
“Basu is responsible for the injuries to the two students and we demand his resignation from the state cabinet and police action against him for fuelling fire on Jadavpur University campus,” Sarkar stated.
The SFI announced its commitment to help conduct higher secondary examinations smoothly and organize assistance camps near examination centers for candidates.
