Kolkata: Jadavpur University students, teachers, and alumni have expressed strong opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks associating the university with 'anarchy'. Speaking at an election rally in Jadavpur on Friday, Modi claimed that the institution, once a source of national pride, was now witnessing threats, anti-national slogans, and protests instead of academic pursuits. 'We want an academic environment, not anarchy. We want dialogue, not threats,' he said.
Academics and Students Respond
Comparative literature professor Sujit Kumar Mandal stated, 'It is better not to mix an institution with electoral politics. Especially an institution that is reputed to be one of the best, not just in the state but in the country and even beyond. Politicians may have their concerns, but bringing it into the centre of politics and politicising it is not something we, as current stakeholders of the university, appreciate. We protest against the kind of baseless allegations made against our institution and its students. We do not agree with them being called anti-nationals.'
Research scholar Fazle Wakil called the targeting of an educational institution 'very unfortunate and disappointing'. He added, 'The institution that has been built on national movements will surely have the ethos to protest and dissent against any kinds of authority. Any government trying to suppress the dissent of student voices is the sign of a dictatorial mindset.'
Former Vice Chancellor's Perspective
Former JU vice chancellor and professor of electronics and telecommunication Bhaskar Gupta, also an alumnus, said, 'Nation and State are two completely different things. When the State goes against its people and stands in opposition to them, it becomes every citizen's duty to protest. JU has a tradition of dissent and to protest and we are proud of that. Moreover, it is objectionable to drag a university of repute into electoral politics.'
Alumni and Student Reactions
Jadavpur University Puratani, a platform of former students, issued a statement in protest, saying, 'Our institution carries the legacy of alternative thinking against British imperialism. It has repeatedly stood on the side of justice and truth. The core philosophy of the university is liberal and open-mindedness. This philosophy has been repeatedly attacked by successive governments... It remains committed to its ideals and innovation. The university stands against communalism, inspired by the ideals of figures like Arabinda Ghosh, Satish Chandra Mukherjee, Rabindranath Tagore and Abdullah Rasul.'
PG student Anushna Das remarked, 'The university has been the best state university in NIRF ranking. In the QS rankings, JU performed well. So, I want to ask our PM that if students are always protesting, then how can an academic institution perform so well.' Another engineering student Sabyasachi Sen said, 'When PM attacks Jadavpur University, I feel proud as a student. Jadavpur is on the right path. The university has taught us to critically think, question and dissent.'
