Jadavpur University: Bengal Edu Minister dials injured student’s father, expresses grief over the fiasco

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Tuesday reached out to the father of Indranuj Roy, the student who was injured after being hit by his car at Jadavpur University on March 1. Basu expressed his grief over the incident and conveyed his wishes for the student's recovery.

"Mr. Basu wished my son a speedy recovery," said Amit Roy, the father of the injured student. "He called me and expressed his remorse. He wished for Indranuj’s swift recovery, stating that both he and his wife were deeply distressed by the situation. He also said that Indranuj is like his own son."

The Minister's gesture was appreciated by the student's family, with his father underscoring the need for calm and mature responses from adults when dealing with emotionally charged students. "Adults must show restraint and maturity when dealing with immature and emotionally charged young students," he said, advocating for peaceful and constructive dialogue.

In response to the incident, Basu said, “It is okay for us to get injured. But the student getting injured was undesirable.”

Meanwhile, factions of the ruling Trinamool Congress have cast doubt on the incident, with some claiming that the video showing the student being struck by Basu's car was "fake" and "morphed."

Indranuj Roy, a first-year undergraduate student at JU, sustained injuries when he was hit by Basu’s car on March 1. The injury to his left eye required 14 stitches. He is currently receiving treatment at KPC Hospital in Jadavpur.

Following the incident, Jadavpur University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Amitava Datta, announced that the university would conduct an internal investigation into the matter. However, interim Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta has been notably absent since the incident. Gupta’s office was surrounded by students on March 1, demanding accountability and an explanation of his role as the university's guardian.

Although Gupta visited the hospital to meet the injured student, he was met with strong criticism from students for failing to take a clear stance. He eventually left the hospital after being heckled by the students.

Since March 2, Gupta has been appearing on television from his home, citing deteriorating health as a reason for his absence. "I am disappointed with the students heckling me," he told a local media house, adding that his health had worsened since the situation escalated on campus.

Following a general body meeting on Monday, the students issued a 24-hour deadline for Vice-Chancellor Gupta to return to campus and address their concerns. The students also demanded that the university cover the full cost of medical treatment for the injured students and file a formal police complaint against Bratya Basu. However, Gupta has yet to return to campus.