The event – Calcutta University Annual Convocation, the venue- Nazrul Manch, the day- 28th January 2020:
The convocation advertised with much fanfare and publicity for conferring a D. Litt on the Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee should have been carved in the golden letters of Bengal’s and the University’s history. Sadly, it was, but for a wrong reason, of preventing the entrance of the Chancellor of the University, the Governor of West Bengal Shri Jagdeep Dhankar. Students, or those who are presumed to be one, crowded before his car and shouted, ‘go back’ slogans spicing their slogans with ‘Dalal of BJP’ aimed at the Governor.
The protest was not unanticipated, and the police grossly failed in stopping the agitating students, who were protesting against CAA, NPR and the NRC! He was hurriedly moved to a private room in the venue, where he signed the D. Litt award for the Nobel Laureate. Had he returned without entering the room or signing the diploma certificate, none else could have signed it. Fortunately, the Governor now used to this type of protests, overlooked the insult and returned after handing over the Certificate to the Nobel Laureate.
Using the students’ shoulders to fire at political adversaries is nothing new nor uncommon. Still, the Governor may not fit into the description, despite his bold or provocative stand on several issues. The Chief Minister was conspicuously absent from a historical event, back on her passion, painting in her unique style. The education minister too was not present, but he is rarely missed!
The Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, Dr Sonali Chakravorty Banerjee, was audaciously assuaging the agitating students that it is ‘she’ who will hand over the Certificate and not the Governor. My surprise was when Dr Abhijit Banerjee went ahead and gave an acceptance speech, in the middle of all this drama and sub-optimal exhibition of our culture. He should have limited to a thank you note, if at all. Students have learnt to protest vehemently, a culture injected into them by successive political governments. It is essential to ensure that they are worthy in their future lives, other than being protestors.
Surely, CAA or NRC are critical matters, and the Supreme Court is seized of this. A constitution bench would be hearing the validity of the Act soon. There can be only two positions post the court’s observation, to withdraw or amend the Act suitably by the government, or to obey Law by all the states. The resolutions passed by a few states, including West Bengal, will have to lie in animated suspension until then.
I wonder if some political leader would start a fast-unto-death, under a public glare, for the rollback of the dreaded CAA or NRC? If not, why not? Simply because their lives could be more precious! It is the students’ lives and their career, which are expendable!
It is a black day, threatening the inclusivity and tolerance that Bengal has been famous. The leaders must tame the rot and help put the state in order. Many old alumni from the University deeply regretted the incident, which throws light of hope in this grim scenario.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
