Full Breakdown
Jadavpur University Dissolves Programme-Approval Committee After RSS-Linked Objections
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 5, Jadavpur University vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee issued an order dissolving the “Approving and Programme Monitoring Committee,” which had cleared a convention attended by AISA president Neha Bora. The decision followed objections from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) student and teacher wings, notably the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM). Acting registrar Debajit Datta will now oversee programme approvals.
Background & Context
On August 20, the university’s Triguna Sen Auditorium hosted a BJP-aligned event featuring MLA Sarbori Mukherjee, after which ABVP supporters entered the campus and injured students. ABRSM argued that the Bora event received permission without the registrar’s consultation, while a senior faculty member claimed the committee had granted approval.
Key Figures & Groups
- Neha Bora – President, All India Students’ Association (AISA).
- Chiranjib Bhattacharjee – Vice-chancellor.
- Debajit Datta – Acting registrar.
- Bhaskar Sardar – President, ABRSM.
- Nikhil Das – President, ABVP’s Jadavpur unit.
- Dipankar Bhattacharya – National general secretary, CPI(ML) Liberation.
Official Statements & Responses
The university order cited a “procedural lapse” in granting permission and transferred approval authority to the registrar. Datta said his office had not received any file requesting permission, despite organisers’ claim of a letter submitted on September 21 and approved by September 25.
ABRSM chief Bhaskar Sardar said the committee approved the programme without consulting the registrar, breaching rules. ABVP unit president Nikhil Das referenced a Calcutta High Court circular barring political personalities from campus events.
AISA’s Neha Bora alleged partisanship in the Election Commission and claimed the SIR process deleted 13 crore voter names, urging a protest on October 10.
Criticism & Opposition
- ABRSM: Issued show-cause notices to the committee chair and dean of students.
- ABVP: Objected to “outside” political figures, citing the high-court order from March 2025.
- Senior faculty member (unnamed): Contradicted ABRSM, stating the committee had granted approval.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the committee’s recommendation was formally communicated to the registrar. The Telegraph and The Wire report no file was received, while a senior faculty member maintains approval was given. No public record of the communication chain has been released.
Data & Statistics
- 13 crore voter names alleged deleted during the SIR exercise (claim by Neha Bora).
- The convention demanded repeal of the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Testing Agency.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That facility is owned by the university’s alumni association. So different rules applied.” — Bhaskar Sardar
- “Gyanesh Kumar does not have the right to be in the CEC’s seat for one more second,” — Dipankar Bhattacharya
What’s Next
Neha Bora called for a citizens’ protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party on October 10 in New Delhi, urging anti-BJP forces to unite against the alleged “vote theft.” The university will form a new panel to replace the dissolved committee, though no timeline is provided.