Jadavpur University: One student arrested in connection with March 1 violence

West Bengal Governor and Jadavpur University Chancellor discuss police presence on campus amid ongoing student protests.

Protestors rallied at Jadavpur University against police crackdowns on campus on Tuesday (March 18, 2025), even as 16 students who had FIRs registered against them in relation to the March 1 violence, following the confrontation between West Bengal State Education Minister Bratya Basu and a group of students, were summoned to Jadavpur Police Station.

An undergraduate student named Souptik has been arrested at Jadavpur police station. His peer Anirban is being questioned at the moment even as the other 14 students await their turn.

Student Soumyadeep Mahanto, who’d be arrested on March 12 in connection with the same case, was granted bail on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) night. Another alumnus who was arrested on March 2 has also been granted bail.

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) that the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University should take a call on the deployment of police posts inside the campus. The V-C on the other hand said that it cannot be solely his decision. They have been passing the buck on the issue and are yet to reach a concrete solution.

Notably, Mr. Bose is also the chancellor of Jadavpur University said that there is a democratic body within the university and the V-C has to take a decision about the police posting. “If the decision is within the rule of law and if it helps the students then we will take a decision. Nothing will be done on campus which can affect the pristine nature, purity, and academic freedom of the university,” Mr. Bose added.

Subhadip, a protesting student from JU on the other told The Hindu, “This is an academic space. Criminals do not roam around in this place where they want to have police posts. This can have negative impacts and lead to a sense of constant fear within the campus.” He also added that they are not against increased security through more CCTV camera installations.

This came after Kolkata Police officials wrote to the V-C on March 11 regarding installing a new 24-hour police outpost on campus, which will be under the jurisdiction of the Jadavpur Police Station.