FILE photo: Jadavpur University students protesting against the police crackdown inside the campus in September 2014.
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has cautioned Jadavpur University Vice Chancellor Avijit Chakraborty for delay in action on a molestation case, which had led to protests by students last year. Demanding immediate action, the Governor also expressed concern over the condition of some students who are on fast demanding Mr Chakraborty's resignation.
"The Governor has cautioned the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University for the delay in taking action on the report relating to the molestation case and asked him to take immediate action as per law," a press release issued by the Raj Bhavan said.
12 students started the indefinite hunger strike on January 5 demanding Mr Chakraborty's resignation. A third-year student was rushed to the hospital on Friday after he fainted on campus.
The fasting students had earlier met state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee at his office after marching a short distance from Karuamoyee in Salt Lake to Bikash Bhavan, where Mr Chatterjee has his office to participate in talks to end the deadlock at the university. The meeting was described by some students as "futile".
Trouble started at Jadavpur University on September 16. Late that night, the Vice Chancellor, who had been blockaded in the university's administrative building by the students, called in the police to get him out. The police forcibly removed the students who had barred Mr Chakraborty's exit. Some students were injured in the clash.
The incident led to a huge public outrage and demands for the Mr Chakraborty's removal. On December 24, at the convocation, a girl student who was judged the best all-round student refused to accept her medal from the Governor, who is also the university's Chancellor.
The Governor has meanwhile asked the Education Minister to monitor health of the students and also appealed to them to end the fast.