Several student union members allegedly attacked West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu's car at Kolkata's Jadavpur University, on Saturday afternoon. “Professors, including the vice-chancellor of the university, were harassed. The minister’s car was damaged and his security guards were heckled. A police vehicle was also attacked. They ransacked Sikhsha Bandhu officer inside the campus and furniture were set on fire,” said a police officer.

According to a person acquainted with the situation, Basu was on campus on Saturday for the annual general meeting of the West Bengal College and University Professors’ Association (WBCUPA), the teachers’ branch of the state’s governing Trinamool Congress (TMC).

According to CPI(M) leader Srijan Bhattacharya, SFI, the student branch of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), was holding demonstrations and calling for student body elections.

Basu, who was taken to SSKM Hospital, said, “Members of the students’ wings of the TMC and the CPI(M) met me and submitted their deputations. But some ultra-Left student’s union did this. I requested them to submit a deputation. I even agreed to meet four of them. But they heckled the professors, tore the banners and became unruly.”

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“The car’s windscreen was damaged with brick while I was in the front seat. I went to the SSKM Hospital for checkup after glass pieces fell on me. There is an injury in my left arm. I am okay now, but I am more concerned about the professors. While I was undergoing preliminary treatment at SSKM Hospital, I was receiving calls how some professors were heckled and how some got injured. The vice chancellor requested me to call the police but I refused,” Basu said after being released from the hospital.

Basu, president of WBCUPA, said that the gathering was attended by almost 3,000 professors from throughout the state.

The confusion has prompted the WBCUPA to file a complaint with the Jadavpur police station.

A student was sent to KPC Medical College and Hospital after reportedly suffering injuries during the altercation.

Meanwhile, TMC party workers and leaders staged a protest in Kolkata against SFI (Students' Federation of India) members following the incident.


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