The investigation into the contentious hijab dispute at Jadavpur University (JU) has hit an immediate roadblock. The committee's inaugural online meeting was abruptly cancelled following a dramatic expression of "lack of confidence" in its chairperson by a key member.
Conflict Derails First Meeting
The cancellation occurred after Kazi Masum Akhtar, the chancellor's nominee to the Executive Council (EC) and a member of the fact-finding panel, refused to participate. In a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Akhtar raised serious concerns about the chairperson's impartiality. He pointed out that Syed Tanveer Nasreen, a history professor at Burdwan University who chairs the probe panel, was also part of a delegation from the state's minorities commission that visited JU on December 30.
"Will this committee's probe be transparent and fair after this?" Akhtar questioned in his communication, casting doubt on the investigation's integrity before it even began.
Chairperson Defends Her Position
Professor Syed Tanveer Nasreen strongly rebutted the allegations, framing them as a tactic to "delay and disrupt" the inquiry. She clarified her presence during the minorities commission visit, stating, "I am not part of the minorities commission. I went there as a member of civil society. I felt if I attended that meeting, my perspective would be clear."
Undeterred by the controversy, Nasreen has reportedly emailed the JU Vice-Chancellor, urging him to reschedule the postponed meeting so the committee can commence its work.
Expanded Panel and Lingering Questions
In a related development, JU has expanded the original three-member investigative panel to five. The university co-opted an additional professor from Jadavpur University and another from Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) to bolster the committee.
However, the internal conflict has created a perplexing situation. A JU official, emphasizing the need for the panel to function, stated, "This has created a strange problem. The panel should be allowed to work." The standoff directly impacts the ongoing situation, as the minorities commission has previously recommended that the professor central to the hijab controversy should remain off campus until the probe concludes.
The cancellation of this first meeting leaves critical questions unanswered and delays a resolution to a dispute that has captured significant public and academic attention in Kolkata.
