ABVP's Jadavpur University Aandolan: Battling the Menace of Leftist Extremism and Ensuring Justice for a Fallen Student - A Historical Perspective"
Jadavpur University, which is currently at the center of controversy, has a rich history that is deeply intertwined with India's freedom movement. Its origins can be traced back to the Swadeshi Movement in 1905 when Bengal was divided. The establishment of the National Council of Education (NCE), which later transformed into Jadavpur University, aimed to challenge the British hegemony and provide education on Swadeshi lines for self-reliance and the nurturing of a nationalist spirit. One of the earliest luminaries associated with Jadavpur University was Sri Aurobindo, who served as its first Principal. Other notable figures include Rabindranath Tagore, Sir Gurudas Banerjee, Ananda Coomaraswamy, Surendra Nath Banerjee, Ramendra Sundar Trivedi, and Radha Kumud Mukherjee. These individuals played a vital role in shaping the institution and its ethos.
However, post-independence Jadavpur University became a breeding ground for left-wing and ultra-left ideologies. The communist ecosystem has thrived within the campus, poisoning the minds of impressionable young students with their propaganda and ideology shedding a dark shadow on the university's image. It is disheartening to see such anti-India forces prevail in an institution that was once known for its commitment to the ideals of the freedom movement. The communist, ultra-left, and Naxalite movements have a long history within the campus, with student organizations openly endorsing and promoting their ideologies.
Left wing organizations have radicalized and brainwashed students, encouraging them to use violence and intimidation to suppress opposing viewpoints.
The recent incident of ragging and murder of a first-year student, Sapnadeep Kundu, is a grim reminder of how deep-rooted this problem has become. The horrific incident took place on 9th August 2023 when Sapnadeep was brutally beaten and then murdered by a group of students affiliated with leftist and ultra-leftist organizations who claim to be fighting for social justice and equality.
Sapnadeep, a bright and promising student, was targeted simply because he did not conform to the leftist ideology that dominated the campus. This incident highlights the intolerance and extremism that has infiltrated Jadavpur University's ecosystem. This incident of ragging and murder is not an isolated incident. It is a manifestation of the toxic environment that has been allowed to thrive within Jadavpur University. The left-wing ecosystem on campus has created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, where dissenting voices are silenced and punished.
The heinous crime committed against Sapnadeep Kundu should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities and the society as a whole. Therefore to high time that the communist and ultra-left ideologies are challenged and exposed for their dangerous consequences. In this regard, ABVP's Jadavpur University Abhiyan has taken a commendable step towards eradicating ragging and maintaining a safe environment for students. This Avyan was Led by National General Secretary Yagwalkya Sukla, triggering a nationwide movement, on the first day of the incident. ABVP, being the first organization to bring this issue to light, undertook a protest in front of gate no. 4 of Jadavpur University. The incident soon caught public attention, leading to protests in various educational campuses across West Bengal. In their quest for justice, ABVP's Karyakartas gathered in large numbers near Goalpark on the 25th of August with demands for the installation of CCTV surveillance systems to prevent future incidents and advocate for a CBI inquiry into such incidents. These demands are reasonable and necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in managing such cases. But ABVP's peaceful protest was met with aggression from the Mamata Banerjee-led police force. Before the rally could even commence, the police resorted to a lathi charge against the students, injuring many in an attempt to disperse the protesting crowd. Despite the challenges faced, the ABVP managed to continue the rally towards Jadavpur University.
However, even there, the police reached the venue and arrested the national general secretary along with 67 other ABVP members. They were taken to the infamous Lal Bazar Jail where they were subjected to torture. Around midnight, at approximately 1:45, the female Karyakartas and other members were placed in a police van to be taken out of Lalbazar prison for a medical test. However, the police didn't conduct the test; instead, they tortured the female Karyakartas and our General Secretary. Proper food, water, and sanitization were not provided. This arrest not only violated the democratic rights of the protestors but also showcased the authoritarian approach of the Mamata Banerjee-led government. The atrocities continued even after we were transferred to judicial custody. Our lawyers, who came for our bail prayer were threatened by the Public Prosecutor with dire consequences. Even non-parliamentary language was used before the judge who was deciding our bail application. After a lengthy dispute involving our lawyer and their side, bail was granted by the honorable court, despite protests from the public prosecutors.