‘Unsatisfactory’, says UGC chairman on Jadavpur Varsity’s reply on ragging case
Aug 21, 2023
New Delhi [India], August 21 : University Grants Commission Chairman on Monday said that the Jadavpur University has failed to give a satisfactory reply on the action it had taken in the recent death of a college student.
“UGC has found that the second reply sent by Jadavpur University is unsatisfactory. UGC will soon be writing again to Jadavpur University for a detailed explanation and action,” UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said.
Kumar also emphasised that the University must follow UGC regulations.
“Ragging is a serious issue, and Jadavpur University must follow UGC regulations in letter and spirit to provide a safe environment for our students,” the UGC chairman said.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had on Sunday termed the death of a student at Jadavpur University campus as “worrisome and unfortunate,” and assured of initiating action in the incident.
“Jadavpur University has been the country's prestigious institution, but the incident that has come to light is worrisome and unfortunate. UGC has taken this matter seriously,” Pradhan said while speaking to ANI.
The deceased identified as Swarnodip Kundu, died after allegedly falling from the balcony of the university's hostel on the night of August 9. He was allegedly subjected to ragging before his death.
Jadavpur University's Dean of Science Faculty, Subenoy Chakraborty, who headed the 10-member committee investigating the student's death resigned from his post on Sunday.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose appointed Buddhadeb Sau as the officiating vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University on Saturday night, as per a communication from the Raj Bhavan.
Bose, also the chancellor of the University, issued orders authorising Sau to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the vice-chancellor with immediate effect. The university has been without a full-time vice-chancellor since June.
A first-year undergraduate student died after falling from the second-floor balcony of the varsity’s main hostel on August 9. His family alleged he was a victim of ragging.
The deceased identified as Swarnodip Kundu, died after allegedly falling from the balcony of the university's hostel on the night of August 9. He was allegedly subjected to ragging before his death.
As many as 12 people have been arrested in connection with the case. Meanwhile, a four-member fact-finding committee has been formed by the state government regarding the Jadavpur student death case. The committee is slated to submit its report within two weeks.
