Bengal Education Minister And Actor Bratya Basu Attacked In Jadavpur

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu was attacked at Jadavpur University during a protest march by students.

File photo of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu.

Source : PTI

Kolkata News: West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu faced intense student protests at Jadavpur University on Friday, resulting in a violent altercation that left his vehicle vandalised and forced him to seek medical attention. According to reports, Basu was leaving the university after attending a meeting with WEBKUPA, a Trinamool Congress-affiliated teachers' association, when he encountered a group of agitating students. The protesters blocked his path and deflated the tires of his vehicle, preventing his exit from the campus.

As the minister stepped out of his car to address the students, they continued their demonstration, chanting 'go back' slogans. The situation escalated when a section of the protesters attacked his convoy, smashing the side mirrors and damaging two pilot vehicles. Basu later alleged that bricks were thrown at his car and that he was physically harassed during the chaos.

Following the incident, the minister was taken to the Trauma Care Center at SSKM Hospital for medical evaluation.

Before leaving the university, Basu condemned the demonstrations. According to a report in Anandabazar Patrika, he said: “This kind of hooliganism cannot continue. I am willing to speak with four student representatives, but if everyone resorts to chaos, it becomes a problem. However, I will not be provoked. The Vice-Chancellor will take appropriate action against those responsible.”

Trinamool Holds Protest March

Tensions escalated in the afternoon when Basu arrived at Jadavpur University’s Open-Air Theatre for a meeting with WEBKUPA, a Trinamool-backed teachers' association. As the meeting was about to begin, student groups affiliated with the Left, including SFI, AISA, and DSF, staged protests demanding student body elections. Protesters blocked Gate No. 2 of the university, while members of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) formed a human chain in retaliation.

Faced with resistance, Basu had to be escorted into the venue using an alternate route. Despite efforts to manage the situation, tensions continued to rise throughout the event.

Even after Basu left the campus, the unrest did not subside. Protesters allegedly vandalised and set fire to an office belonging to a Trinamool-affiliated employees' organisation within the university. In response, Left-backed student organisations staged a roadblock at Jadavpur’s 8B crossing.

Amid the chaos, one student was reportedly injured after being hit by a vehicle while Basu was leaving the premises, the Anandabazar report said. The student allegedly suffered a head injury, further intensifying the standoff between the protesting groups.

After leaving the university, Basu went to the SSKM Hospital, where he claimed that shattered glass from his car window had injured his face and hands. He underwent an X-ray on his hand, the Anandabazar report cited above said.

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, who visited Basu at the hospital, issued a statement, saying: “No one should mistake our patience and tolerance for weakness. We are followers of Mamata Banerjee, and we will give a democratic response to those behind the attack.”

Later in the evening, Trinamool Congress staged a protest march from Sukanta Setu at 7 pm, condemning the attack on Basu. The demonstration saw participation from state minister and Tollygunge MLA Arup Biswas, Jadavpur MP Saayoni Ghosh, and local MLA Debabrata Majumdar.