Hold students’ union polls at the earliest: Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor to govt

A day after he took charge as the interim vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University, Buddhadeb Sau on Monday urged the state government to hold students’ union elections at the earliest, saying students’ representatives play a vital role in the anti-ragging committees on the campus.

“We will appeal to the state to the government to hold the students’ union elections at the earliest. We will send a request to the government in this regard so that students’ unions are formed. Also, we are including NGOs in the anti-ragging committee to get incorporate a perspective of the society,” said Sau after holding a meeting of the anti-ragging committee of the university where all departmental heads were present.

Sau also announced a host of steps the university will take to curb ragging on the campus and hostels. “There will be group counselling for students who have been traumatised by this incident. Also, there will be a mentoring programme to improve the mentor-mentee relationship. There will be orientation programmes for the first-year students who will take admission. Department-wise student interaction will also be held,” said Sau.

Meanwhile, state Education Minister Bratya Basu alleged that Sau lacks qualification to meet the criteria for being appointed interim V-C.