JU calls upon 'stakeholders' to ensure free speech on campus

Nearly a week after Union minister Babul Supriyo was heckled at Jadavpur University by Left-leaning students, the varsity authorities on Wednesday appealed to "all stakeholders" to ensure no one is stopped from exercising their right to free speech on campus.

The authorities, in a signed statement, urged "all sections of the university community" to take necessary steps so that everyone can express views without fear.

The statement also exhorted the stakeholders to maintain peace, harmony and goodwill on the campus.

"We appeal that measures be taken so that no one is restrained from exercising his/her right to express views freely. We need this to ensure the sustenance of democratic space on the campus and to guarantee freedom of speech and expression," said the statement signed by Vice-Chancellor (VC) Suranjan Das, pro-VCs Pradip K Ghosh, Chiranjib Bhattacharya and Registrar Snehamanju Basu.

JU had witnessed a fracas last Thursday, when a section of students gheraoed and heckled the Union minister for several hours, and the ABVP activists subsequently vandalised university property.

The authorities also emphasised the need to maintain JU's "rich democratic tradition, which has enabled the university attain heights of academic excellence."