The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought a detailed report from Jadavpur University on the action taken following a complaint by an undergraduate student against an associate professor accused of making remarks critical of the Constitution and Dr B R Ambedkar.
According to The Times of India, the commission wrote to the university’s acting registrar on December 30, asking for “facts and the action taken” on the allegations within seven days. The letter warns that if no response is received within the stipulated time, the commission may summon the registrar to appear before it.
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Complaint alleges delay and inaction
The complaint was filed by a second-year student of the university’s international relations department against associate professor Arup Bhattacharya. The student alleged that during a phone conversation, the professor told her to “tear apart the Constitution and throw it into the water” and questioned the relevance of studying Ambedkar’s role in constitutional debates.
The student approached the NCSC on December 27, alleging inaction by the university. She said a departmental fact-finding committee was formed on December 16 and was expected to submit a report within 15 working days, but she had not been called to record her statement, and no findings had been shared.
Speaking to The Times of India, the student said she had asked the commission to direct the university to act against the professor and ensure accountability.
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University officials, however, denied any deliberate delay. Vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said the university had fewer working days in December due to convocation duties and year-end holidays. He added that the matter would be explained to the commission and dealt with promptly.
The accused professor said the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding and stated that he was cooperating with the inquiry and had already submitted his version.
