Kolkata: Supporters of the Trinamool Congress students’ wing yesterday allegedly manhandled professors of Calcutta University.
According to reports, Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) members wanted to disperse teachers and officers of the university who had been staging a sit-in demonstration since Monday, over the suspension of a finance officer.
“People carrying TMC flags attacked us and beat many of our colleagues and even abused them as they believed we were demonstrating against the government,” a Calcutta University professor said.
Others professors said none of those involved were students of the university but hooligans who are sheltered by the TMC leaders.
“They even threatened us and said if we do not quit the demonstration they will be forced to take further steps,” added another professor.
Even Vice-Chancellor Suranjan Das was not spared and he claimed to have been attacked by outsiders.
“Some people attacked me but I do not know who they are or which party they belong to,” Das said.
The West Bengal College and University Teachers’ Association (WBCUTA) has demanded the resignation of education minister Partha Chatterjee over the issue.
“This is a barbaric incident where professors of a prestigious university in the country are being assaulted by supporters of a political party. There is no security for professors in the state,” said a spokesperson of WBCUTA.
TMCP leaders at the campus however denied any physical assault of professors.
“They [professors] were behaving like goons. We are doing a peaceful demonstration against the professors who are badmouthing the chief minister and the government,” said Tapas Adhikari, a TMCP leader.
Expressing shock over the incident, TMCP state president Ashok Rudra assured necessary action would be taken against TMCP supporters if it was proved that they were involved in the incident.
“This is a very shocking incident. We are trying to find whether or not the TMCP supporters were involved. We will take necessary actions against the guilty,” Rudra said.
Civil society took to social media to protest against the events at the campus.
“We are shocked to know that a student’s union has physically assaulted professors. The university is considered as the centre of excellence and see what politicisation has done to it,” said Tandrima Sen, a former student working with a multinational company in Mumbai.
