Will Soon Seek A Detailed Explanation And Action From The University Again: UGC Chief On Jadavpur Row

The UGC Chairman has said that ragging is a serious issue and Jadavpur University must follow UGC regulations in letter and spirit to provide a safe environment for our students.

UGC will soon seek a detailed report from Jadavpur University soon: UGC Chief

The UGC (University Grants Commission) Chairman  Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar has said that the UGC will soon write to Jadavpur University and seek a detailed explanation and action again. The UGC Chief further said that the university must follow UGC regulations in letter and spirit to offer a safe and secure learning environment to students. “UGC (University Grants Commission) has found that the second reply sent by Jadavpur University is unsatisfactory. UGC will soon be writing again to the university for a detailed explanation and action. Ragging is a serious issue, and Jadavpur University must follow UGC regulations in letter and spirit to provide a safe environment for our students,” M Jagadesh Kumar was reported as saying by ANI. 

Notably, following the death of a first year student at the Jadavpur University by falling from the second floor of the main hostel building, the UGC sought a detailed report from the university on allegations of ragging and sexual harassment surrounding the death of the student. The university formed a 10-member inquiry committee which submitted its report to the UGC last week. However, on August 17, the UGC in its response to the report submitted by the university panel expressed unhappiness with the report. The UGC said that the university has taken no proactive measures to stop ragging inside the campus.

Later, on the very same day, the West Bengal state government released an official notification announcing the formation of a 4- member fact-finding committee to look into the student’s death at Jadavpur University. The fact-finding committee will submit its report in two weeks, the official notification stated. 

Earlier yesterday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also slammed the university report submitted to the UGC, terming it as ‘unsatisfactory,’ and called the incident as ‘worrisome and unfortunate.’ Later yesterday, the Dean of Faculty of Science at Jadavpur University, Subenoy Chakraborty, resigned from his post. Chakraborty headed the 10-member university inquiry committee which sent its report to the UGC last week.