Thu Mar 27 11:31:28 UTC 2025: ## Calcutta High Court Bans Political Figures from Jadavpur University Events
**Kolkata, West Bengal –** The Calcutta High Court issued a directive on Thursday, March 27, 2025, prohibiting Jadavpur University from inviting any political figures to events held on campus. The ruling follows recent incidents of unrest, including damage to West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu’s vehicle during a visit.
The court questioned why the Minister accepted the invitation if the campus environment was not conducive to a peaceful visit. The bench, comprising Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das), emphasized that only academicians should participate in university functions.
The decision stems from a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging lawlessness and indiscipline at Jadavpur University, attributed to a faction of students with political affiliations. Unruly scenes erupted on March 1st when students protested near the Minister’s vehicle, resulting in injuries and several police reports.
The PIL sought enhanced security measures for staff, including deploying armed police on campus and establishing a special investigation team to probe campus crimes. The petitioner also requested a permanent police outpost on campus.
While the university reported taking steps to improve campus operations, the court expressed concerns about the reliance on private security agencies. The court questioned their ability to adequately protect the campus given the high number of police reports filed since 2014. The court also noted the university’s failure to seek adequate police assistance from the state government.
The court ordered Jadavpur University to submit an affidavit within three weeks outlining how it will implement its proposed solutions. The matter will be heard again after the affidavit’s submission. The court also made it clear that only students and authorized personnel are permitted on campus.
First Piper 