Thu Jul 17 19:54:16 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article rewritten from that information:
**Summary:**
The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to expedite the resumption of student union elections in public universities, which have been halted since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The court is responding to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2023 seeking the restoration of student elections and anti-ragging committees. The court also expressed concern about political influence in university governance and urged the state to include renowned academicians on governing bodies. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) claims it is ready for elections but cites pandemic-related disruptions and changes in the education system as reasons for the delay. The PIL also raises concerns about the influence of former student leaders and incidents of misconduct linked to individuals with political connections.
**News Article:**
**Calcutta High Court Orders West Bengal to Resume Student Union Elections**
**Kolkata, July 18, 2025** – The Calcutta High Court has issued a directive to the West Bengal government, demanding the prompt resumption of student union elections in public universities across the state. The order, issued on Thursday, requires the government to file an affidavit within two weeks outlining its plan to initiate the election process.
The court’s action stems from a 2023 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Sayan Banerjee, which sought the revival of student elections and the reinstatement of anti-ragging committees in higher education institutions. Student union elections in West Bengal have been suspended since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, leading to protests and growing calls for their reinstatement.
“This is a positive step towards restoring a democratic atmosphere in the State’s higher education institutes,” stated Mr. Banerjee, emphasizing the need to expedite the elections.
The court also addressed concerns about the political influence within university governing bodies, urging the State government to prioritize the inclusion of renowned academicians. The current composition of these bodies includes several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders.
While acknowledging the court’s directive, TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya stated the party’s readiness for fresh elections. He attributed previous delays to challenges such as the pandemic and the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.
The High Court has also previously directed the government to lock up union rooms in colleges without recognised student bodies or recent elections. The current directive marks a significant step towards addressing long-standing concerns about student representation and governance in West Bengal’s higher education institutions.
First Piper 