Univ ready to pay for treatment of injured students, V-C wants to talk

State government announced formation of a five-member committee to investigate into the alleged sexual harassment of the girl student.

In a climbdown from its earlier stand, the Jadavpur University (JU) authorities Monday expressed willingness to talk to the agitating students even as the state government announced formation of a five-member committee headed by Calcutta University V-C Suranjan Das to investigate into the alleged sexual harassment of the girl student.

The agitating students, however, remained adamant on their class boycott till the Vce-Chancellor resigned and charges against the students who were arrested were dropped. Monday was the sixth day of protests that began Wednesday and aggravated after an alleged police lathi-charge.

“We want a fair and fast inquiry into the molestation case. We also demand the resignation of the VC and that all charges against the 36 students who were arrested should be dropped. Till these demands are met, we will continue with the boycott,” said an agitating MA second year student. He said the students will also organise a citizens’ convention on September 24 at the University ground and a rally to Lalbazar would be put up, the day after.

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The University authorities, however, said they have decided to pay for the treatment of the injured students as well.

“We will see to it that none of the students arrested on September 17 are harmed. Also, among the university students who had been injured that day and had to be hospitalised, we will help them with any medical support they need,” said P K Ghosh, Registrar, JU.

V-C Abhijit Chakraborty, too expressed willingness to get into a dialogue with the student. “I have been telling about initiating a dialogue since Friday. They can decide a date and I can sit with them across the table and try to find a solution,” he said.

Education minister Partha Chatterjee announced a five-member committee headed by Calcutta University V-C Suranjan Das to investigate into the alleged sexual harassment of the girl student.

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“The other members of the committee are Dr Nrishingha Prasad Bhaduri, chairman, governing body, Netaji Institute of Asian Studies, Prof Sangeeta Tripathi Mitra, V-C, Bethune College, Prof Ananya Chakraborty, head of the department, journalism and mass communication, St Xavier’s College and Prof Subiresh Bhattacharya, chairman, School Service Commission,” Chatterjee said.

“The committee will try to submit its report within 72 hours, if possible,” the minister said.

The agitating students, however, said they have doubts “about the committee that has been put up”. “Besides a students’ representative, the committee, according to Vishaka guidelines, should also have a representative of the human rights commission, a former judge and a psychiatrist,” said Soumya Ghosh, a third year student.

She said they will take a call on holding a dialogue with the V-C Tuesday.

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