A group of students at Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) in Kolkata has been protesting against Interim Vice-Chancellor Shubhra Kamal Mukherjee, leading to a High Court order that restricts outsiders from entering the university’s campuses. The court directive stems from a petition filed by Mukherjee, who sought police protection to enter the campus. Justice Joy Sengupta, hearing the petition, has also ordered the deployment of state police personnel at the entrance gates of the university.
The court’s decision comes on the heels of a previous order that the interim vice-chancellor cannot be stopped from entering the campus. According to reports, Mukherjee entered his chamber on the Jorasanko campus under police escort on Wednesday. The students, led by the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad, have been demanding Mukherjee’s removal and the immediate appointment of a permanent vice-chancellor.
The protesters, who claim that Mukherjee’s arbitrary decisions are affecting the university’s reputation and academic environment, have been facing resistance from the administration. In a statement, Mukherjee expressed his dismay over the behavior of the protesters, alleging that “those behind the agitation are mostly outsiders and don’t represent general students.” He has also hinted that the protests are being orchestrated by external forces seeking to create chaos in the university.
The High Court’s order is a significant development in the ongoing standoff between the university administration and the protesting students. While the court has allowed students, professors, and staff members to hold peaceful protests, it has also prohibited outsiders from entering the campus to avoid any potential disruption to the academic environment. The move is seen as a measured approach to maintain the status quo and prevent further escalation of the situation.
The controversy surrounding Mukherjee’s leadership has been ongoing since his appointment as officiating vice-chancellor of RBU in 2023. As a former chief justice of the Karnataka High Court, Mukherjee’s decision-making has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that his actions are damaging the university’s reputation and academic environment. The ongoing protests and the High Court’s intervention highlight the need for a constructive solution to the crisis, which can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation between the stakeholders involved.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/no-outsiders-should-be-allowed-to-enter-campus-hc-to-rbu-9910293/
Category : Cities,Kolkata
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Publish Date: 2025-03-28 04:15:00
