“Unprecedented…”: Jadavpur University Teachers Association Condemns Attack on Professors; Warns of Cease Work

The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) strongly condemned what it described as an “unprecedented” assault on two faculty members and sought immediate action from the university authorities. The deputation was submitted on Monday, days after clashes erupted between student groups Students Federation of India (SFI) and We the Independent (WTI) on February 20. Two professors who tried to pacify the escalating tension, were allegedly assaulted during the heated confrontation.

JUTA submitted a written deputation to the Vice-Chancellor, strongly condemning the assault on the two professors and demanding swift action. The teachers body noted that professors have repeatedly acted as mediators during clashes between student groups in the past. On 20 February, teachers intervened with the same spirit. Despite facing abusive language and provocation from a small section of students, the teachers continued to calm the situation and did not lose patience even when subjected to physical harassment. While the teachers were initially successful in diffusing the tension, but were reportedly assaulted later. Professors Sinha and Mahakud were attacked and sustained injuries, following which they were taken for medical attention.

Describing the incident as “unprecedented”, JUTA noted that teachers have never been physically assaulted while intervening to maintain peace. The teachers body warned that if the varsity authorities failed to take action, they cease work on February 26, in protest against the assault. In addition, they will arrange a protest rally on February 27, and would be compelled to not cooperate with any administrative activities on March 2.

In the meantime, Jadavpur University has set up a five-member enquiry committee to probe the events of 20 February 2026, when two faculty members were injured on campus while attempting to stop a clash between two student groups. The decision was announced through an official university circular issued on 23 February 2026. According to the circular, the committee has been asked to look into the incident and submit a report with findings and recommendations. All concerned have been requested to cooperate with the committee and submit depositions in sealed envelopes by 27 February 2026.

Amid continuing tensions, the university administration issued a separate circular on 23 February 2026 introducing amendments to earlier campus regulations. Under the new rules, individuals entering the campus between 7.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. must carry valid Jadavpur University identity cards. The use of alcohol, narcotics or any illegal substances has been explicitly prohibited anywhere on campus, with violations liable to invite legal action. Additionally, restrictions have been imposed on group gatherings after 8.00 p.m., except for students attending evening classes, and anyone found on campus without a legitimate reason after that time may be treated as a trespasser and face appropriate legal action.

This comes in the background of escalating tensions at Kolkata’s Jadavpur University, where a violent clash broke out on 20 February between supporters of SFI and WTI over the election of student representatives to the Internal Complaints Committee. As the confrontation intensified, professors Rajeshwar Sinha and Lalit Lalitav Mahakud intervened to defuse the situation but were allegedly assaulted. Both were taken to hospital; Mahakud was discharged after first aid, while Sinha, who sustained injuries near his eyes, remains under treatment. One of the professors also had his spectacles broken during the scuffle.

Tensions have remained high since then. On 23 February, Priyam Chatterjee, a first-year postgraduate student in the English department, was injured in an alleged assault. According to the SFI, he was found alone after a freshers’ programme and was allegedly dragged to the university playground and beaten by 10–12 members of the Collective association, resulting in ruptured eardrums. The university administration has not issued a detailed statement, but student groups have described the incident as part of a continuing cycle of violence even as an enquiry committee begins its investigation into the earlier clash.​