Kolkata, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jadavpur University’s three-member committee formed to investigate recent clashes between members of the CPI(M)-linked Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has run into uncertainty after its proposed chairperson, former Netaji Subhas Open University vice-chancellor Subha Shankar Sarkar, declined to take charge.
The university had constituted the panel following two clashes on campus — the first during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday and another on Thursday afternoon.
Sarkar was named chairperson of the committee, while the other members were Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University Vice-Chancellor Arunasish Goswami and Presidency University Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Director Soumendu Chattopadhyay.
Sources said Sarkar emailed the university authorities on Saturday evening conveying his unwillingness to head the panel. The development has raised questions over whether the committee will be able to begin its investigation as planned.
Sarkar’s decision came amid objections reportedly raised by the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) to his appointment. The organisation is understood to have cited Sarkar’s alleged connection with teachers’ recruitment cases during the previous Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal.
However, a university insider said Sarkar’s email declining the assignment was sent before ABRSM formally raised its objections. “Hence, it cannot be said for certain that his decision had anything to do with the ABRSM’s objections,” the insider said.
The university now has two options — appoint another person to replace Sarkar as committee chairperson or constitute an entirely new panel. Sources said a decision could be announced on Monday.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Saturday that, as the state’s administrative head, he was determined to end what he described as “anti-national activities” at Jadavpur University and establish “the spirit of nationalism” there “at any cost”.
Adhikari alleged that “Vande Mataram” was not allowed to be sung on the campus, the national flag was not hoisted and Education Department officials and CCTV cameras were prevented from entering or being installed at the university. He said his government would establish nationalism “inside and outside Jadavpur”.
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