Vice Chancellors, academicians decry attempt to prevent JU academic from entering campus

Vice Chancellors condemn students' attempt to prevent professor's entry, urging respect for academic responsibilities and reputation.

Vice Chancellors and academicians from various universities in West Bengal on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) issued a statement condemning an attempt by a section of students to prevent professor Omprakash Mishra from entering the university campus on Monday (March 10, 2025).

Prof Mishra, one of the senior most professors of the State run university and former Vice Chancellor of North Bengal University was prevented by a section of protesting students from entering the campus. He also faced the ire of protesting students along with the State Education Ministry Bratya Basu on March 1, when the students had gheraoed the Minister vehicle demanding union elections. The Minister’s car drove over protesting students on March 1 leaving some students injured.

“We strongly condemn and unequivocally disapprove of the attempt made on March 10, 2025, by a small group of students displaying highly objectionable posters, to prevent Professor Omprakash Mishra from entering his office in the International Relations Department, PG Arts Building, Jadavpur University,” a statement signed by more than 20 Vice Chancellors and academicians said.

The academicians said that no one has the right to obstruct a teacher from fulfilling his academic responsibilities. Prof Mishra is a faculty member of the Department of International Relations of the University.

“The concerned students must understand that displaying vulgar posters with unsubstantiated allegations against a] faculty member tarnishes the reputation of this esteemed institution. Furthermore, we strongly denounce the subsequent attempt to malign Professor Mishra—a distinguished teacher and researcher—by fabricating allegations of deliberate physical harm to students,” the statement said.

While an FIR has been registered on Prof Mishra as well as State Education Minister Bratya Basu and his device on developments relating to March 1, the academic has, however, refused to go to the police against the students.

On March 10, students tried to prevent Prof Mishra from entering the university who entered the campus with folded hands. The academic was involved in organising a convention of West Bengal College University Professor Association, the venue of which was attacked by protesting students on March 1.