The Calcutta High Court has issued a directive mandating police presence outside Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) in Shantiniketan to ensure the smooth ingress and egress of university officials. The decision comes in response to a plea requesting police assistance due to an ongoing protest led by dismissed employees of the institution.
Justice Jay Sengupta emphasized that while dismissed employees or any other individuals have the right to protest, such demonstrations must remain peaceful and must not infringe upon the rights of university officials to enter and exit the premises freely.
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"Even if the dismissed employees or others want to protest, the same has to be in a peaceful manner and without violating the right of the officials of the University to enter and exit the University premises," the court stated.
To maintain order, the court ruled that no protest or demonstration should occur within 100 meters of the university campus. The court further directed that if protesters violate this guideline, the police have the authority to take appropriate action as required.
Additionally, the court ordered the immediate deployment of a police picket, including armed personnel, in front of the university campus to prevent any breach of peace or violation of the law. Law enforcement agencies were also instructed to remain vigilant to ensure that no untoward incidents occur.
The petitioners' counsel informed the court that dismissed employees, along with some outsiders, had been gathering at the Jorasanko and Emerald Bower campuses, obstructing university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, from entering the premises. The situation escalated on March 26, 2025, when a group of dismissed and regular employees, accompanied by students, allegedly stormed the Vice-Chancellor’s chamber with an intent to cause harm. A dismissed employee reportedly assaulted the Vice-Chancellor’s personal secretary.
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Court’s Stand on Law and Order
The counsel representing the state confirmed that police personnel had already been stationed outside the university as per previous court instructions. The state further assured the court that all necessary measures were in place to ensure the Vice-Chancellor and other officials could access the campus without obstruction.
The court took a firm stance against any disruption to the university’s regular functioning.
"Nobody, far less dismissed employees and outsiders, should be permitted to disrupt the regular functioning of the University. A dismissed employee or an outsider can enter into the University premises only upon specific permission/license given by the authorities. If they violate such norms, the authorities shall be at liberty to take appropriate action," the court observed.
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The court clarified that while protests are a fundamental right, they must be conducted within reasonable limits and without causing public inconvenience.
