The Governor and Chancellor, Jadavpur University, Jagdeep Dhankhar, expressed his relief, in a statement released by the Raj Bhavan, that as a result of his visit on September 19, to the University, an "end to an unwholesome situation was brought about".
His visit was rendered imperative as the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-VC had left the university while the Union Minister Babul Supriyo continued to be detained by the agitating students there, said the statement. "In his capacity as Chancellor, being guardian of the students, he took the call so as to connect with the students in the interest of education and institution. Before his visit to the University, the Governor and Chancellor, exhausted all possible avenues that could bring an end to the unsavoury spectacle by flagging the issue to the DGP and the Chief Secretary," said the release.
The Governor also took initiative in connecting with the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and "duly apprised her of the grave situation and the consequences it may entail". There were numerous telephonic interactions between them but he did not divulge the conversation between the two, except that he left for JU after sufficient time had elapsed and the situation did not show any change. "The Governor, in his capacity as Chancellor of the University, is the guardian of all students and their well being would ever be uppermost in his mind," the statement further added.
It is unfortunate, said the official release, that the General Secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress, through a press release, stated that the Governor did not inform the state government and has not taken them into confidence before his visit. "Obviously he did not know of the developments that took place between the Governor and the DGP/CS as also the conversation with the Chief Minister. The stand in the release is factually incorrect," it read. "The Governor would reiterate that being the guardian of all students of the University, his doors are always open for the students and interaction would only help the concerns of the students and would be in the interest of the University and the education. The Governor looks forward to interacting with the students and faculty of JU so that the University registers incremental rise and wholesome education environment," it added. The students are planning to visit the GOvernor in the days to come to discuss the issue at length.
"The issue of serious lapses by the University VC, including virtual abandonment of his obligations, and an apparent failure of the State Police Administration in attending to the situations appropriately and inadequate security arrangements for the Governor during his visit are receiving his attention for way forward steps," concluded the statement.
