'Don't Want Bangladesh-Like Situation': Calcutta High Court Directs State To Manage Student Unrest Amidst Violent Clashes At Jadavpur University

The Calcutta High Court has expressed concern over the recent unrest that took place at Jadavpur University due to clashes between protesting students and Education Minister Bratya Basu's convoy. 

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh expressed concerns over the issue being caused either by an intelligence failure by the police or by the defiance of such intelligence reports by the minister. He directed the state to ensure that measures were taken to deal with the unrest and to prevent such confrontational situations from occurring in the future. He said:

"There must be some discipline by both parties...people cannot be allowed to come so close to [the minister]...I don't want this to become an example for the rest of West Bengal...election year is coming, this will spread like an epidemic...citizens will lose discipline...I don't want it to be like the neighbouring country...henceforth if there is any defiance in following intelligence by [ministers] it has to be recorded in writing. No phone calls will do...otherwise if something happens, all blame will come on the security agencies."

Justice Ghosh also called for a report from the state authorities explaining how such a situation had arisen and why the police did not do its utmost to diffuse the tensions. 

Basu had visited Jadavpur University to attend the annual general meeting of a teachers' body, and was accosted by protesting students. In the ensuing clashes, it is seen that students were injured by vehicles from the convoy that pierced through the crowd, and that one student was injured after being crushed under the wheels of a car belonging to the convoy.

This led to a violent uproar, with students damaging the cars in the convoy and causing further agitation. 

Case No: WPA/5132/2025