West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is set to address a gathering outside Jadavpur University’s Gate No. 2 at 5pm on Friday, in a programme aimed at promoting what organisers describe as the “spirit of nationalism” on the campus. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend, with Adhikari also scheduled to lead a rendition of Vande Mataram.
Preparations are in full swing along Raja Subodh Mallick Road, with ramps being constructed between Jadavpur University’s Gate No. 4 and the Sulekha crossing, around a kilometre away. A stage has also been set up outside Gate No. 2, adjacent to Jadavpur’s 8B bus stand for the chief minister’s address. The arrangements have led to traffic restrictions in the area. Vehicles travelling from Garia towards Golpark were diverted through the congested 8B bus stand, while saffron flags were put up along the route.
Suvendu Adhikari’s programme comes eight days after members of the RSS-affiliated ABVP entered Jadavpur University amid protests over the alleged assault of its unit president Nikhil Das by Left-backed student activists. The ABVP entered the campus twice on August 20, first at around 1am and later at 2pm. The organisation described the action as a “surgical strike” against alleged “anti-national” activities. Bhaskar Sardar, president of the ABRM’s JU unit, said the chief minister’s presence could help tackle what he called the influence of “dimagi Naxals”.
