The inquiry committee investigating the recent violent clashes at Jadavpur University has faced another setback with the resignation of member Arunasis Goswami. Police are now intensifying their probe by seeking CCTV evidence.

  • Arunasis Goswami, VC of Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University, resigned from the probe panel.
  • The committee had previously lost its chairman, Prof. Shubha Shankar Sarkar.
  • Police are requesting CCTV footage to identify 'outsiders' involved in arson.
  • Retired Judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee has been appointed as the new head.

The high-stakes inquiry into the violent clashes between Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) at Jadavpur University (JU) has hit a major administrative roadblock. On Tuesday, Arunasis Goswami, the Vice-Chancellor of Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University, submitted his resignation from the investigative committee.

This resignation follows the recent departure of the committee's chairman, Prof. Shubha Shankar Sarkar. Sarkar’s exit was prompted by objections from an RSS-affiliated teachers' organization regarding his past administrative associations. Goswami cited his heavy administrative responsibilities at his own university as the primary reason for stepping down.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the rapid depletion of the inquiry committee's membership signals deep-seated political friction and administrative instability within the university. A hollowed-out committee risks failing to provide the impartial justice required to restore campus peace.

The continuous resignation of committee members threatens to turn a legal inquiry into a political stalemate.

The unrest originally erupted on the night of August 19, following a dispute over an SFI general body meeting. The subsequent protests on August 20 led to scuffles with law enforcement. The police have since registered cases involving arson, vandalism, and intimidation, specifically targeting 'outsiders' who allegedly entered the campus forcibly.

In a move to stabilize the investigation, the university has appointed retired Calcutta High Court judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee to lead the panel. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have met with the acting registrar and are actively seeking CCTV footage to pinpoint the exact timeline of the violence and identify the instigators.

Historical Background

Jadavpur University has long been a crucible of political activism in West Bengal. The campus frequently serves as a battleground for ideological conflicts between left-wing student groups and right-wing organizations, often leading to intense scrutiny from both state authorities and national political figures.

Did You Know?: Jadavpur University is consistently ranked among India's top research-intensive universities, making its internal stability a matter of national academic concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Who is leading the new investigation?
Answer: The university has appointed retired Calcutta High Court judge Pranab Kumar Chatterjee as the new chief of the inquiry committee.

Question 2: What are the police looking for in the CCTV footage?
Answer: Police are searching for evidence of planning, instigation, and the presence of unauthorized individuals from outside the university campus.