Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was shown black flags and greeted with ‘go back’ slogans at Jadavpur University by a large section of students and university staff after he went to its campus to attend the court meeting this afternoon. Surrounding his convoy for nearly an hour, the students raised slogans against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) and prevented him from getting down. Later, he was escorted out with the help of his security personnel after he promised to listen to issues raised by the students.
However, he had to leave the campus without attending the meeting of the court. But before leaving, the Governor mentioned that he will come again tomorrow to attend the annual convocation ceremony though the agitating students have said that they will boycott the event if he comes there. Later, the university authorities informed that the annual convocation will take place as per schedule and the Governor has been invited at the event. However, it has been decided that he cannot deliver any address at the event. The JU authorities had earlier cancelled the special convocation.
“The court has decided to invite the Chancellor at the annual convocation ceremony tomorrow and an invitation will be sent to him. But whether he comes or not is completely up to him,” said professor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, the pro-vice-chancellor. Later, the Governor tweeted, “Was at Jadavpur University for two hours. Had interaction with agitated students on various issues and indicated that am keen to connect with them further at Raj Bhawan. The Jadavpur University Court meeting could not be held and instructed C to have at Raj Bhawan this evening.”
He also posted a tweet saying, “The State administration was not at all responsive as regards my visit to Jadavpur University.” The Left students’ unions which were holding the demonstration today claimed the Governor was making unwarranted interference into the autonomy of the institute and they do not consider him as their Chancellor. “The Governor did not reply to any of our queries. He could not explain why he kept issuing pro-NRC and CAA statements and asked protesters to withdraw their agitation. We will keep boycotting him whenever he comes to the campus.”
When the students questioned him on police action at Jamia Millia Islamia campus in Delhi, Dhankhar said, “I am the Governor of West Bengal and I can answer queries about the state.” Asserting that he believes in autonomy of educational institutes, the Governor urged the students to submit a representation at Raj Bhavan and offered them to discuss the matter.
Subrata Mukherjee slams Guv, Modi-Shah duo:
State PWD minister Mr Subrata Mukherjee today mocked the Governor of West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar for his ‘voluntary’ moves to here and there. Without naming him, the veteran politician labelled him as ‘mad’. Mr Mukherjee was leading the Trinamul Congress’ ‘No CAA, No NRC’ procession in Bankura. Later, he addressed a gathering at Machantalla.
He said: “They have assigned a mad person who is occupying the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata to disturb the state and embarrass our chief minister Mamata Banerjee. I don’t wish to name him even. People can understand who the mad person is. The man is roaming aimlessly here and there. It is so ridiculous that even when the universities are not inviting him, he is entering the campuses.”
Mr Mukherjee also lambasted Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and home minister Mr Amit Shah on CAA and NRC, saying: “They are audacious and both are habitual intimidators. They have repeatedly threatened to dismantle the elected Trinamul Congress-led government in Bengal.”
He further slammed Modi, adding: “The Jharkhand election results have given them a befitting reply and this is the beginning of their end.” Meanwhile, more than 5,000 supporters, party members and office goers have joined the ‘No CAA, No NRC’ protest rally in Burdwan town this afternoon which was organised by the Trinamul Congress’ Burdwan ~ Sudder- North and Sudder -South committees ~ which was led by Swapan Debnath, minister and district president of the party in Burdwan (East) district.
Debnath said: “Our CM has become a prominent national face of protest against the inhuman bids by the centre to implement CAA and NRC. We shall raise voice for her.”