One BJP, two voices: Bengal Minister Swapan Dasgupta’s Jadavpur remark clashes with ‘surgical strike’ call

BJP MLA Sarbori Mukherjee's threat to launch a "tandav the whole night" found backing from West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, who said "surgical strikes" would be carried out at Jadavpur University, which the party has accused of nurturing anti-national activities.

Dilip Ghosh warns of 'surgical strike' on JU

Speaking to the media, Ghosh said, "We will not allow anti-national activities anywhere. The previous TMC government had provided them shelter, but it was the BJP that had carried out a surgical strike at Jadavpur University, during which SFI offices were ransacked.

"If anti-national activities are repeated or anti-national slogans are raised again, a similar surgical strike will be carried out," he added.

In a balanced remark, Ghosh's colleague Agnimitra Paul said the government would make every effort to prevent violence and the politicisation of educational institutions, even as she claimed that an "anti-national mindset" was being propagated at Jadavpur University.

BJP chief distances party from ABVP

BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya's attempt to dissociate his party from the violence, claiming that "ABVP is not affiliated to the BJP", drew criticism online.

Though ABVP is not formally affiliated with the BJP, Bhattacharya's claim was questioned over the involvement of BJP MLA Sarbori Mukherjee in the unrest at Jadavpur University.

Defending Mukherjee's involvement, the state BJP chief said, "Sarbori Mukherjee is an elected representative so she can go anywhere and intervene. The BJP does not believe in political activities inside educational campuses, but it can intervene when something happens on the streets."

Swapan Dasgupta urges politicians to stay away

In contrast, West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta described the clashes as "unfortunate" and said such incidents tarnish the image of West Bengal.

He stressed that Jadavpur University is an institution of excellence and urged people from all political backgrounds to refrain from provoking unrest on the campus.

He also appealed to students and ordinary people not to fall into the trap of provocation.

In an online video, Dasgupta said, "My observation is that students should be allowed to decide their own course of action. More the outsiders remain aloof from interfering, the better... I feel it's very important for political people of all political colours to stay away from provoking things in Jadavpur. I think students and ordinary people should not respond to provocations."

The Rashbehari MLA also described the damage to the Jadavpur University emblem as an act of "disrespect". The emblem carries historical significance as it was designed by Nandalal Bose, one of the pioneers of modern Indian art.

How the Jadavpur clash unfolded

The clash between ABVP and SFI on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday was primarily centred on a general body meeting at a Jadavpur University department and escalated when BJP MLA Sarbori Mukherjee launched a massive protest over an alleged attack on ABVP students.

The ABVP, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accused Left student groups, including the SFI and Democratic Students Organisation (DSO)-Democratic Students Federation (DSF), of orchestrating an attack on its members.

The Left student unions, however, alleged that ABVP had brought outsiders onto the campus and resorted to vandalism.

Mukherjee met students who were allegedly injured at a local hospital and later entered the Jadavpur University premises to protest against what she described as anti-national elements.

Though Mukherjee, a first-time Jadavpur MLA, does not represent the constituency where the university is located, she targeted Left student groups as well as CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty and SFI General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharya over the incident.

Mukherjee, who was relatively unknown as a politician before the incident, threatened to "do a tandav the whole night" if those she accused did not surrender before the police immediately.

Left rejects allegations, accuses BJP of vandalism

Responding to Mukherjee's allegations, Srijan Bhattacharya denied SFI's involvement in the incident and said the dispute was between students who had called the meeting.

Bhattacharya alleged that BJP workers stormed into the campus following the dispute and engaged in vandalism.

"The activity of the local BJP MLA is laughable... I challenge them to announce students' body elections, let ABVP win democratically. What's the point in resorting to vandalism at midnight?" the SFI leader said in a video message from Delhi.

While Mukherjee claimed that ABVP students were assaulted, widely circulated videos showed a group of men storming into the campus, removing and burning flags of Left student groups while raising "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogans.

Another trending video showed several men attempting to break the locked collapsible gate of Aurobindo Bhavan before burning a red flag belonging to a Left student group and throwing it inside the building, where students could be heard screaming.

Fresh face-off near Jadavpur University

The tension escalated on Thursday afternoon when both ABVP and SFI held marches in the vicinity of the university, leading to another round of confrontation.

After breaking through police barricades near Jadavpur Police Station and proceeding towards Gate No. 4 of the university, ABVP protesters climbed on top of the locked gate before engaging in verbal confrontations with students inside.

The chaos led to damage to the Jadavpur University emblem placed on the gate.

CPI(M) leader Dipsita Dhar, who was the front face of the march launched by the SFI, accused the police of being bias towards the ABVP.

Dhar, a former SFI All-India Joint Secretary, reminded the police of the transience of political power, saying, "Mamata Banerjee had also thought she would rule forever and look where her party is now."

"Remember, BJP will not last forever. The days are not far when the same cops who have assaulted our supporters would have to salute them," she added.