Interim V-C of Jadavpur University, Bhaskar Gupta returned to the university campus after missing in action for almost three weeks since the protests erupted inside the campus. Photo: Debasish Bhaduri

Protestors rallied at Jadavpur University against police crackdowns on campus on Tuesday (March 18, 2025), even as 16 students who had FIRs registered against them in relation to the March 1 violence, following the confrontation between West Bengal State Education Minister Bratya Basu and a group of students, were summoned to Jadavpur Police Station.

An undergraduate student named Souptik has been arrested at Jadavpur police station. His peer Anirban is being questioned at the moment even as the other 14 students await their turn.

Student Soumyadeep Mahanto, who’d be arrested on March 12 in connection with the same case, was granted bail on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) night. Another alumnus who was arrested on March 2 has also been granted bail.

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) that the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University should take a call on the deployment of police posts inside the campus. The V-C on the other hand said that it cannot be solely his decision. They have been passing the buck on the issue and are yet to reach a concrete solution.

Notably, Mr. Bose is also the chancellor of Jadavpur University said that there is a democratic body within the university and the V-C has to take a decision about the police posting. “If the decision is within the rule of law and if it helps the students then we will take a decision. Nothing will be done on campus which can affect the pristine nature, purity, and academic freedom of the university,” Mr. Bose added.

Subhadip, a protesting student from JU on the other told The Hindu, “This is an academic space. Criminals do not roam around in this place where they want to have police posts. This can have negative impacts and lead to a sense of constant fear within the campus.” He also added that they are not against increased security through more CCTV camera installations.

This came after Kolkata Police officials wrote to the V-C on March 11 regarding installing a new 24-hour police outpost on campus, which will be under the jurisdiction of the Jadavpur Police Station.

V-C returns

On March 17, the interim V-C Bhaskar Gupta returned on campus after missing in action for nearly three weeks, since protests turned violent on campus on March 1 citing health issues.

According to University sources, after his return Mr. Gupta has assured that no police posting will be finalised inside campus without discussions with students and other stakeholders. He held talks with students and also sought permission from the government to hold an urgent Executive Council meeting to address the students’ issues. This was one of the primary demands of the students but as Mr. Gupta is an interim V-C he does not have the capacity to call an EC meeting without the government’s permission.

Mr. Gupta has also asked for an increase in the number of CCTV cameras, designated parking spots for media persons. They have also restricted media entry inside campus to only two members per media house.

This came after many raised questions about the actions of a Bengali news television channel, Republic Bangla inside the campus. It was alleged that the media persons coerced students, professors, pro-V-C, registrar, and administrative staff to speak, and entered buildings without permission. Teachers said that they “used provocative language to malign the good name of the institute”.

This comes as Jadavpur University remains embroiled in politics and turmoil for the past three weeks due to student clashes and protests demanding a fair student union election on campus.