Kolkata, Aug. 25 -- Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay on Tuesday reacted for the first time to the August 19-20 violence at Jadavpur University, calling the clashes "condemnable" and urging students, teachers, researchers and other stakeholders to restore normalcy on campus.
"Whatever has happened because of provocation, counter-provocation and reactions to it is condemnable," he said, adding that the department wanted Jadavpur University to preserve its past reputation and enhance its standing.
"The name of Jadavpur University, its research, education and excellence should spread across the country and the world," he said.
"I appeal to everyone to restore normalcy. Jadavpur University itself has to ensure that its name does not reach the world for the wrong reasons because of such unnecessary disturbances," he added.
Asked about CM's recent social media post alleging objectionable and anti-national graffiti at the university, he said the V-C had been asked to investigate.
Meanwhile, Arunasis Goswami, V-C of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University and one of the three members of the university's inquiry committee constituted to probe the August 19-20 incidents, resigned citing "unavoidable circumstances". His resignation came days after former V-C of Netaji Subhas Open University Subha Shankar Sarkar also quit the panel.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Jha visited the university on Tuesday and met Registrar Selim Box Mondal for around 45 minutes. Police sought CCTV footage from August 19 and 20 and took three notices relating to university regulations.
"The university has started the process of providing whatever the police have sought," Mondal said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.