After a gap of 16 years, elected teacher representatives have entered the Court, the highest policy-making body of Jadavpur University. Academic circles say the development may set an example for other universities in West Bengal, where such elections have remained suspended for years.
During the Left Front government, representatives were regularly elected to the Court. However, after the change of government in the state, several university laws were either amended or replaced. Since then, the election process for the Court and Executive Council has remained suspended.
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Over the years, teachers and academic groups across several institutions had organised protests, sit-ins and demonstrations demanding the restoration of these elections. Despite repeated demands, the state government maintained a firm stance, and the elections were not held.
Recently, teachers at Jadavpur University organised continuous sit-ins demanding elections to the Court and Executive Council. Following these protests, Acting Registrar Selim Bux Mondal issued a notification on Thursday stating that 17 elected teachers from the Arts, Science and Engineering faculties would represent the Court.
However, no other organisation fielded candidates in the election. As a result, many within the university believe that those elected are associated with the teachers’ organisation Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA).
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The election has already sparked controversy. Another teachers’ organisation, ABUTA, has filed a case in the Calcutta High Court, describing the election process as undemocratic.
Professor Gautam Maiti, representing ABUTA, said, “This is now a matter under trial. Therefore, the authorities will have to answer to the court for this undemocratic, illegal election.”
Meanwhile, Parthapratim Roy, General Secretary of JUTA and one of the newly elected representatives to the Court, said the focus would be on addressing the university’s pressing concerns.
“Our main objective will be to raise our voice against various kinds of disorder, financial constraints, various problems and above all, for the university's autonomy,” he said.
