‘State Govt Must Implement What The High Court Has Asked To Do’: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan On Jadavpur University Row

The Union Education Minister has said that Jadavpur University is one of the prestigious universities of the country, and termed the student’s death at the university as worrisome and unfortunate.

On the recent row over a student’s death at Jadavpur University, Union Minister for Education Dharmendra pradhan has said that the West Bengal state government must implement what the Calcutta High Court has asked it to do. “Jadavpur University has been the country's prestigious institution but the incident that has come to light is worrisome & unfortunate...UGC has taken this matter seriously...no student has the right to do ragging...state govt must implement what the High Court has asked to do, it's their responsibility..." ANI reported the union minister as saying. caThe Calcutta High Court will be hearing a petition tomorrow, August 21, filed by TMC MP and advocate Kalyan Banerjee which sought the High Court’s intervention over the matter. 

Notably, the recent death of a first year student at Jadavpur University has created a huge roar. Leaders of opposition, activists, and students alike have been raising concerns over the universities anti-ragging policies, and the state government’s action on the issue. Swapnadip Kundu, a first year Bengali Honours student at Jadavpur University, died days after joining the university by falling from the balcony of the second-floor of the main hostel inside the campus. The deceased student was allegedly subjected to ragging in the campus. The police had also hinted earlier that Kundu's mental distress possibly stemmed from some seniors calling him names.

While the Kolkata police arrested three more people in connection with the matter, West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has said that the party will demand that Education Minister Bratya Basu table an action taken report on the incident in the assembly. The BJP leader and West Bengal leader of opposition has also demanded an SIT probe into the matter. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also raised concerns over the ‘learning ambiance’ in universities, and questioned the state government. 

"The situation in educational institutions in West Bengal is worsening every day. An example of this is what happened at Jadavpur University. There is no law & order. We want the West Bengal government to pass a law against ragging in the state" Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was reported as saying by ANI. 

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