The Calcutta High Court ordered Jadavpur University not to invite political personalities to programs within its precinct, after a series of interruptions of a recent minister's visit. The court indicated that academics would be appropriate as speakers during the next set of seminars and functions.
This order comes a day after an incident on March 1, when West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu's car was reportedly vandalized during a visit to the university. The court wondered why significant individuals were invited to the campus with such flammable situations around.
Responding to a public interest litigation raising issues relating to campus security, the division bench, headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, cast doubts on the effectiveness of private security firms in keeping students and officials safe. The court observed the presence of several FIRs registered since 2014 with regard to incidents on campus and asked why the university had failed to approach state officials to increase security arrangements.
The court has ordered Jadavpur University to file an affidavit within three weeks on measures taken to improve campus security and safety. The action reflects the judiciary's seriousness in curbing lawlessness and indiscipline in schools and colleges.
The development points to the continuing problem of balancing academic freedom with the requirement of a safe and healthy learning environment in educational institutions.
