A fresh controversy has erupted at Jadavpur University after the administration refused permission for Ram Navami celebrations on campus, citing the absence of a Vice-Chancellor. The decision has sparked massive outrage among Hindu student groups, who question why an Iftar celebration was allowed on the same premises just days ago.
The university issued a note stating, “In the absence of a Vice Chancellor, it is not possible to grant permission to organise Ram Navami inside the campus.” This move comes at a time when the university is reeling from internal turmoil, following the removal of interim Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose for failing to prevent campus violence and disobeying official directives.
The Hindu Students’ Union and other organisers have condemned the decision, calling it a clear case of selective appeasement. Somsurya Banerjee, a key organiser of the Ram Navami celebration, voiced his frustration:
“We are determined to celebrate Ram Navami inside the campus this year. Last year, we were initially granted permission, but it was later revoked due to protests. This time, we have officially requested permission and will not back down, no matter what.”
He also accused the administration of double standards. “If people can celebrate Iftar inside Jadavpur University, why can’t we celebrate Ram Navami? Why does the administration have two different sets of rules for two communities? We will not tolerate this discrimination. If necessary, we will take legal action and tackle any obstruction head-on,” Banerjee said.
The controversy has deepened the divide between Hindu student organisations and the leftist Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which has vowed to block the Ram Navami celebration. A member of SFI told media, “The ABVP is behind this event, and we will not allow them to celebrate Ram Navami inside the campus. We will also prevent outsiders from entering and spreading hooliganism.”
This statement has further inflamed tensions, with Hindu students accusing the SFI and other left-wing groups of suppressing their religious rights while supporting celebrations of other faiths. “It is the same old hypocrisy of the so-called secularists. They cry about inclusivity but will go to any extent to block Hindu festivals,” said a student leader from the Hindu Students’ Union.
Santanu Singha, trustee board state president of the ABVP’s West Bengal unit, has called for a mass protest against the left-wing student groups at the university.
“Jadavpur University is painted as a leftist stronghold, but the reality is different. These people are not interested in development or progress. Their only focus is creating anarchy and suppressing any voice that does not align with their ideology. We will not let them dictate terms anymore. We will counter them with all necessary arrangements,” Singha declared.
The ongoing conflict comes in the wake of serious violence at Jadavpur University. Last month, a massive student protest erupted during the visit of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu. Reports suggest that the minister was physically manhandled, gheraoed, and his car vandalised by angry students. The removal of interim Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta was widely viewed as a reaction to the lawlessness on campus.
In 2024, also the Jadavpur University authorities revoked the permission granted to students for celebrating Ram Navami on campus. The permission, originally approved on April 15, was abruptly withdrawn on April 16 following intense pressure from left-wing student groups, who staged protests late into the night outside Aurobindo Bhavan.
In an official notice issued by the university registrar, the administration cited multiple reasons for the reversal. According to the notice, complaints were received from some students alleging “fraudulent use of their names in the list of applicants.” Additionally, written concerns were raised about “communal threats” from various student groups, suggesting that the celebration could lead to a breakdown of peace and harmony within the campus.
