West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday issued a strong warning against those he described as sympathisers of “anti-national forces” at Jadavpur University. Speaking in the Assembly during the discussion on a Bill allowing the inter-university transfer of teaching and non-teaching staff, Adhikari said such elements at the university required “strict medicines”.
Referring to alleged slogans supporting Kashmir’s freedom, the Chief Minister said the government would take a tough stand. He said the administration would not use the language of Mahatma Gandhi to deal with those raising “Kashmir wants freedom” slogans and would instead adopt the language of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Suvendu Adhikari also defended the proposed amendment Bill, saying it would help strengthen newly established universities by transferring experienced faculty members. “The Bill will balance institutes' autonomy and accountability towards the government... It would not impact PhD supervision and projects,” he said. Taking a swipe at critics of the legislation, Adhikari added, “Those unhappy with the provisions of the Bill are welcome to quit their jobs.”
The Chief Minister said Jadavpur University would receive ₹1,300 crore in grants but warned that those raising slogans such as “Bharat tere tukde honge” would face strict consequences. Referring to the murder of former Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Gopal Sen in 1970, Adhikari said the government could constitute a panel to investigate the incident if required.
Adhikari also addressed the recent controversy surrounding alleged remarks on meat consumption attributed to Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Shashtri. He said he had instructed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to take action against Congress workers accused of burning portraits of the self-styled godman during protests.
Additionally, the Chief Minister further claimed that the Opposition lost the West Bengal Assembly elections because of its “disrespect” towards the saffron colour. He also asserted that the Opposition was headed for another defeat in the upcoming by-elections.
