Kolkata: Visva Bharati University in West Bengal’s Shantiniketan has decided to ask the centre to deploy
alternative security on campus after the state police did not respond to calls for help when a 2,000-strong
crowd entered the campus and vandalised property.
The university has filed a police complaint. Eight people have been arrested for vandalism.
At a meeting of directors, heads of departments and principals on Monday, they decided to inform Prime
Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. PM Modi is the chancellor of this central university.
Visva Bharati has been shut indefinitely except for admissions, exams and emergency services after the
mob allegedly led by a Trinamool Congress MLA tore down, using bulldozers, at least two of the
university’s decorative gates to protest against a boundary wall being put up by the authorities around a
ground.
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take action.
“Am distressed at rampant vandalism at Viswa Bharati with administration @MamataOfficial failing to
take timely pre-emptive steps. Have shared with CM the hoary scenes of violence and police and
administration being nowhere around. Appeal for peace to all,” Mr Dhankhar tweeted.
“Am distressed at rampant vandalism at Viswa Bharati with administration @MamataOfficial failing to
take timely pre-emptive steps. Have shared with CM the hoary scenes of violence and police and
administration being nowhere around. Appeal for peace to all,” Mr Dhankhar tweeted.
