Mamata Banerjee's patience at test over Jadavpur University unrest, says MP Saayoni Ghosh

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has displayed "remarkable restraint" despite the attack on Education Minister Bratya Basu by Left-wing students at Jadavpur University, TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh said on March 8. Ghosh warned that if the unrest continues, the university’s reputation could suffer irreparable damage.

Speaking at a TMC event, Ghosh lauded Banerjee’s patience in handling the protests, emphasizing that the chief minister had chosen not to deploy police on campus despite the assault on Basu.

"Mamata Banerjee is showing remarkable patience despite provocations from Left-wing students who are disrupting campus peace. It is because of her restraint that the police have not intervened, even after the attack on the minister. Jadavpur University has always been known for its liberal values and academic excellence," she told reporters.

However, she cautioned that if the current turmoil continues, the university’s standing could take a hit.

"If this kind of hooliganism by SFI and Naxals persists, JU's reputation will decline beyond repair. We don’t want to see that happen," she added.

Clashes over students’ union elections

The protests at Jadavpur University erupted on March 1 as students pushed for long-pending student union elections. Tensions peaked when Education Minister Bratya Basu arrived on campus, only to face a heated confrontation. In the chaos, Basu’s convoy allegedly grazed two students, leaving them injured. While students claimed they were deliberately hit, Basu accused protesters of vandalizing his car and injuring him in the process.

Reacting to Ghosh’s remarks, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty dismissed them as attempts by TMC leaders to "outdo each other" for political mileage.

"These statements reflect the anti-democratic and autocratic nature of the TMC. But students across the state won’t be intimidated by such rhetoric," he asserted.

Left-wing student groups argue that without elected unions, students have no official platform to voice concerns, leaving room for administrative corruption.

The ongoing standoff has reignited a broader debate on student representation and governance within West Bengal’s higher education system. (PTI)