Mamata opposes erection of controversial wall at Visva Bharati

Shubhadeep Choudhury
Tribune News Service
Kolkata, August 17

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee aired her opposition to a wall that was at the centre of violence that erupted on Monday at Visva Bharati, the university founded by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

“Tagore’s idea was that lessons would be imparted to pupils in natural settings. Too much building activities go against the idea”, Banerjee said.

The CM was answering questions on the violent incidents that took place in the university today when local people allegedly backed by the leaders of the state’s ruling TMC disrupted the university authorities’ attempt to erect a wall around the ground where the annual “Poush Mela” fair was traditionally held.

Besides driving away the construction workers, the crowd also ransacked material stockpiled for the work and brought down two entry gates of the university using a payloader machine belonging to the construction company entrusted the work of building the wall.

According to an eyewitness, tension has been building up in the area since Saturday when the work for the wall first started.

Today, Visva Bharati Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty, accompanied by his colleagues and private security guards, landed up in the ground and asked the contractor to start the work with them standing as guards against any possible disruption.

However, soon members of the local business association started gathering at the site in strength and started ransacking the place.

Naresh Bauri, TMC MLA from Dubrajpur, was present during the incident. When contacted by this reporter, Bauri said he was opposing the construction of the wall since it would give the central university the appearance of a caged institution.

The V-C’s frantic call to the chief minister, chief secretary, home secretary and district superintendent of police – in the wake of the violence – went unanswered.

He then called up Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar for help. It took some effort for the Governor also to get the CM on phone. But he did finally manage to speak to her.

“Just had word with Chief Minister over Visva Bharati worsening law and order scenario. She has assured that administration will take all steps to restore law and order. Am sure those enjoined with task will rise to the occasion”, Dhankhar tweeted after speaking to the CM.

A senior faculty member of the university told this reporter that they were expecting temporary closure of the university to be announced.

“Though the university is open from the last two months, no academic activity has been going on and hostels are all empty in view of the situation arising out of the pandemic,” he said.

Bidyut Chakraborty, who took over as vice-chancellor of the central university in November 2018, had earlier ordered that “Poush Mela”, a century old carnival that drew hordes of tourists and provided income to local people, would not be held any more.