Tue Aug 26 11:42:23 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
The University of Calcutta and the West Bengal government are at odds over a fourth-semester exam scheduled for August 28th, 2025, which coincides with the foundation day of the student wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The university’s officiating Vice-Chancellor is refusing to postpone the exam, citing the academic calendar. However, a principals’ body aligned with the state government has requested intervention from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, arguing that a large student rally will cause traffic chaos, potentially preventing students and staff from reaching exam centers on time and disrupting the examination process. The situation has divided Kolkata’s academic community.
**News Article:**
**Calcutta University Stands Firm on Exam Date Amid Political Rally Concerns**
**Kolkata, August 26, 2025** – A major standoff is brewing between the University of Calcutta and the West Bengal government over a scheduled fourth-semester examination on August 28th. The date clashes with the foundation day celebrations of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the student wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Officiating Vice-Chancellor Santa Datta (De) has resolutely refused to postpone the exam, citing the university’s academic calendar and stating, “Exams are not a picnic where you choose whether to participate or not.” A formal notice has been issued confirming that all exams will proceed as planned on August 28th.
However, a body representing principals of various colleges in the state, typically aligned with the government, has appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for intervention. In a letter, the All Bengal Principals’ Council expressed concerns that a large-scale student rally organized for the TMCP foundation day will cause significant traffic congestion throughout Kolkata.
“This large-scale rally across Kolkata is likely to lead to severe traffic congestion throughout the city, raising serious concerns among us principals regarding how students, faculty members, and non-teaching staff would be able to reach the examination centres on time,” the letter stated. They fear students arriving late will be denied entry, and the smooth conduct of the examination cannot be guaranteed if staff are delayed.
The situation has exposed a deep rift within Kolkata’s academic community, with some principals supporting the state government’s call for postponement, while many professors applaud the Vice-Chancellor for resisting political pressure. The outcome of this conflict remains uncertain, leaving students in limbo and highlighting the complex relationship between academia and politics in West Bengal.
First Piper 