8 Arrested For Vandalism At Visva Bharati, University Seeks Centre's Help

Visva Bharati University in West Bengal's Shantiniketan has decided to ask the centre to deploy alternative security on campus after the state police did not respond to calls for help when a 2,000-strong crowd entered the campus and vandalised property for several hours on Monday.

The university has filed a police complaint. Eight people have been arrested for vandalism.

At a meeting of directors, heads of departments and principals on Monday, they decided to inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. PM Modi is the chancellor of this central university.

Visva Bharati has been shut indefinitely except for admissions, exams and emergency services after the mob allegedly led by a Trinamool Congress MLA tore down, using bulldozers, at least two of the university's decorative gates to protest against a boundary wall being put up by the authorities around a ground.

Trinamool Congress MLA Naresh Bauri and other party leaders are named in a First Information Report filed on Monday night.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take action.

"Am distressed at rampant vandalism at Viswa Bharati with administration @MamataOfficial failing to take timely pre-emptive steps. Have shared with CM the hoary scenes of violence and police and administration being nowhere around. Appeal for peace to all," Mr Dhankhar tweeted.

Am distressed at rampant vandalism at Viswa Bharati with administration @MamataOfficial failing to take timely pre-emptive steps.

Have shared with CM the hoary scenes of violence and police and administration being no where around.

Appeal for peace to all. pic.twitter.com/9TtFBFe0Th

— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) August 17, 2020

There is outrage all over at vandalism at Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan.

Urged @MamataOfficial to enforce accountability of those who engaged in desecration of VBU premises.

Time to practice his sublimity and preserve pristine character of VBU so dear to Kobiguru. pic.twitter.com/sIwVqZBSrz

— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) August 18, 2020

The Chief Minister has ordered the district administration to hold a meeting of university authorities and the traders' organisation that led the protest.

However, Ms Banerjee said she felt building walls was against the ethos of Visva Bharati University, founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.