The Calcutta High Court has directed Jadavpur University to take immediate steps to remove outsiders from its campus and implement stricter security measures. The court emphasized that the institution cannot evade its responsibility in regulating entry and ensuring a safe environment for students. Additionally, the court has prohibited the university from inviting political figures to campus functions after violent clashes erupted during the visit of the state’s education minister.
During the hearing, the petitioner highlighted that such violent incidents were recurring at Jadavpur University and posed a serious concern, especially when a sitting minister was attacked. It was argued that a significant number of outsiders, including former students who had left the university years ago, were involved in the violence.
The petitioner urged the court to enforce stringent security measures, stating that only judicial intervention could restore order on the campus. A plea was made for the deployment of armed police personnel to maintain discipline and prevent further disruptions.
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According to the petitioner, Jadavpur University, once a premier institution, was facing severe setbacks due to the influence of certain politically affiliated student groups. The presence of unauthorized individuals was identified as a major contributor to the ongoing disorder.
In response, the counsel representing Jadavpur University acknowledged the issue of non-students frequenting the campus but contended that enforcing complete entry regulation was impractical.
Senior Counsel Kalyan Bandopadhyay argued that the university had become a center for disruptive activities and pointed out that state intervention would require a formal request from university authorities.
"No person except a student is entitled to enter the campus or stay in the hostel without permission of the authorities," stated Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, who was presiding over the bench alongside Justice C. Chatterjee (Das). "The university cannot be shy and state that it cannot control ingress and egress... The security arrangements are currently handled by a private agency, but whether such an agency is capable of providing adequate security is questionable."
The court also observed that a significant number of FIRs had been registered against incidents within the university since 2014, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the existing security framework.
"It is unclear why the university has not sought assistance from the state government. This matter will be reviewed in the next hearing... A high-ranking political leader was recently attacked on campus. If the situation remains unsafe, the rationale behind inviting such dignitaries to university events must be reconsidered."
Following this, the court issued an order barring Jadavpur University from inviting political personalities to its functions. The university administration has been instructed to submit an affidavit detailing the steps taken to:
- Strengthen campus security.
- Regulate the entry of non-students.
- Ensure the safety of students and faculty members.
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The case, registered as SUBHAM DAS VS JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY AND ORS (Case No: WPA(P)/84/2025), will be reviewed in the next hearing, where the university’s response and compliance with the court’s directives will be examined.
The ruling highlights the judiciary’s growing concern over campus security and underscores the importance of maintaining a safe academic environment free from external disturbances.
