Jadavpur means nostalgia to many, with seeds of free thought mixed into its very pores. But has the quicksand of rule-breaking now formed behind that intellectual freedom?
At Jadavpur University's second alumni conference on Saturday, IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty raised exactly this question.
This distinguished alumnus from Jadavpur's Mechanical Engineering Department's 1996 batch placed his 'mother institution' before the mirror of harsh reality on Saturday. Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Suman made it clear that 'hooliganism' or anarchy by misusing intellectual freedom is not desirable in any way.
According to him, "The real goal now should be to increase recognition worldwide while maintaining the university's tradition, but disorder in the name of freedom should not become an obstacle in that journey."
He said clearly, "I am saying very clearly that hooliganism should not be encouraged in the name of freedom of free thought."
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When nostalgia was flowing in the conference hall that day, Suman Chakraborty's stern observation made many present think deeply. Facing journalists, he further explained that during their student days, they too had protested and demonstrated, but it never disrupted the university's core teaching or research environment. However, the current picture is quite concerning to him.
According to Suman, "The tendency to stop various activities in the name of movement that is being seen should not be tolerated in any way. This has no relation to any political ideology, rather it simply creates obstacles in the institution's work."
The university's current Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Chiranjib Bhattacharjee also echoed the Director's tone and expressed his helplessness. The Vice-Chancellor candidly admitted that while IITs or top foreign universities can use their alumni as institutional assets, Jadavpur still lags far behind in this regard. He said, "Free thought and an open-minded environment are our assets, but that doesn't mean anyone has got a license to create disorder."
In recent years, Jadavpur has repeatedly made headlines - sometimes for student deaths due to ragging and sexual harassment, sometimes for students drowning in the university pond. Protests surrounding Education Minister Bratya Basu's car, earlier protests surrounding the Governor, or the then BJP leader and Union Minister Babul Supriyo being dragged by his hair - Jadavpur University students' names have been associated with many protests.
Suman described the current relationship between Jadavpur's alumni and the university as 'rootless' or 'disconnected'. According to him, "Having an alumni conference once a year or giving some donations emotionally is not enough. Rather, alumni should be seen as 'strategic partners' of the institution."
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Presenting a roadmap for the next five years, he said this relationship needs to be built on four pillars - solidarity, contribution, co-creation and legacy. That is, alumni should be involved not just as guests, but in every field from the university's laboratories to policy-making.
The Vice-Chancellor also assured that the process of making relationships with alumni more intimate is beginning, overcoming past shortcomings. All in all, Saturday's conference did not remain just a reunion gathering, but became a stern message for redefining the meaning of free thought.
In response to Suman's statement, Jadavpur student Srijan said, "Suman-babu has actually said this from some stereotypical notions. We will certainly consider and examine his statement. But we would also request him to understand that IITs have so many rules and restrictions, and student movements don't even happen there. Then why are so many students committing suicide one after another? Why can't it be prevented?"
