Kolkata:
A student leader at Aliah University in West Bengal has been arrested after a video showing a group of students berating and verbally berating the rector went viral and sparked a political row in the state.
Following the BJP’s claim that the accused, Giasuddin Mondal, has ties to the Trinamool Congress, the ruling party said it had been kicked out of its student wing years ago. Mondal was expelled from university in 2018.
The Bangladesh governor, Jagdeep Dhankar, shared the video and asked for a report from the chief secretary, saying that “such shameful incidents have exemplary consequences”.
The Chief Secretary has been requested to provide a full update by 1pm tomorrow on the worrying scenario reflected in video in viral circulation.
Such a state of affairs where rogue elements breaking the law have their way without fear of the law is certainly a terrifying scenario for law-abiding people. pic.twitter.com/T0xQGTh6x3— Governor of West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) Apr 3, 2022
(Video may contain explicit language. Viewer discretion advised)
A university official told PTI news agency that the incident took place on Friday at the university campus in New Town.
The video, which has gone viral, shows a group of students around Rector Mahammad Ali in his office. The students are interrogated with swear words and threaten him with serious consequences if the PhD admission list is not changed as per their recommendations. They alleged manipulation by the administration in the merit list.
The students are also accused of “destroying” the university. Behind Mr. Ali’s chair, two guards watch helplessly as the students continue to scold and yell at him. The vice chancellor is silent because of the bickering. At one point he asks for his phone back – apparently snatched by the group – but is called away.
The bickering reportedly lasted for hours.
Ali later told media that Mondal and several others had scammed him for several hours in his office and used foul language, PTI reported. “I called the police for help, but they didn’t come,” he said.
However, the West Bengal Police tweeted that they had “responded quickly”. “Police responded quickly in relation to the recent incident that took place at Aliah University and Giasuddin Mondal has already been arrested. The investigation continues,” they tweeted.
Bangladeshi BJP president Sukanta Majumdar targeted the ruling party, saying it shows how Trinamool’s student leaders have “exceeded all boundaries”. “The VC kept quiet and didn’t respond because he’s a gentleman. If it had been me, I would have punched the abusers,” he said.
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari tweeted in Bengali: “This is not an isolated incident under the regime of the daughter of Bengal. This is the culture of the state now. The VC said the police did not come to his aid. influential TMC leaders on their heads.”
The CPI(M) also condemned the incident. Sujan Chakraborty, a member of the party’s central committee, said the incident is another indication of the bad atmosphere in educational institutions under Trinamool’s rule.
Trinankur Bhattacharya, state president of Trinamool’s student wing, said Mondal was expelled a few years ago due to an assault incident. “We condemn the incident. The VC abusers must be punished. This is not our culture.”
Kunal Ghosh, secretary general of the Trinamool Congress, said the party condemns such behavior towards teachers and wants severe punishments for the guilty.