West Bengal CM warns of harsh action against anti-national slogans at Jadavpur University

In a special session of the West Bengal Assembly, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned that his administration would employ "strict medicines" against students or staff who chant anti-national slogans like "Bharat tere tukde honge" at Jadavpur University, promising a response modeled on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He announced a Rs 1,300 crore grant for the university but cautioned that any calls for Kashmir's freedom would be dealt with firmly.

The government also moved forward with the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which adds a provision for inter-university transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff, a measure he called historic and essential for developing newer campuses in places such as Jhargram and Cooch Behar. While teachers' associations fear the law could undermine institutional autonomy, Adhikari insisted it balances autonomy with accountability and even invited dissenters to resign. He also addressed a recent incident involving self-styled godman Dhirendra Shashtri, saying Kolkata Police would arrest those who burned his portrait, and mentioned the 1970 murder of former Jadavpur vice-chancellor Gopal Sen, promising a panel to investigate if needed.