Calcutta University held its convocation ceremony on 28th January at Nazrul Mancha. Despite him being the Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, the students of the university did not allow the governor of West Bengal – Jagdeep Dhankhar, on the stage of the program and he was forced to leave the venue.

Incidentally, this is the second time the Bengal governor has faced such humiliation at an university convocation ceremony. On 24th December 2019, in a similar fashion, students forced Dhankhar out of the Jadavpur University campus as he had gone there to preside over the annual convocation ceremony of the university.

Governor’s car being gheraoed at Jadavpur University

ALSO READ: Why Is The West Bengal Governor Not Very Popular Among The Students, Especially Of Jadavpur University?


The incident

Amidst ‘Go Back’ slogans and black flags as the governor approached the Nazrul Macha auditorium, he found himself surrounded by angry students protesting against his take on NRC, CAA and NPR.

Despite repeated appeals by the authorities, students held anti-CAA placards and raised slogans in front of the stage and stopped the event for almost 45 mins.

Governor’s car being surrounded by the students as he was asked to leave CU’s convocation ceremony

Students alleged that Dhankhar has repeatedly used his position to speak for the political parties in power at the centre. He had also allegedly disrespected the university students and teachers who spoke against the political parties he ‘favoured’.

On Tuesday, Jagdeep Dhankhar was supposed to confer an honorary D.Litt on Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee. But with students protesting outside, things didn’t quite go as he had planned.

After much consideration and as he had not yet signed the D.Litt certificate that was to be handed over to the Nobel laureate, the students allowed the governor to reach the green room of the auditorium.

Proceedings of the event

After signing, Dhankhar was asked to leave as the students stood their ground and did not allow him on the stage. The slogans continued until Dhankhar had left the venue and the event started only after the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Sonali Chakravarty Bondhopadhyay assured that the “Governor will not be present at the ceremony”.

“The events that took place yesterday didn’t happen spontaneously. The chancellor was forced by an unruly mob to leave the venue, despite the chancellor being duly invited,” he said at a press conference.

According to sources, it wasn’t until Monday that Dhankhar was sent an invitation to attend the convocation, although his chair makes him the Chancellor of all the state-run universities.

Along with Dhankar, Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee was also said to be invited in the ceremony but was absent from the event. Reports say that she was seen at an art camp organized in protest against the citizenship law.

As the events unfolded in front of the Nobel laureate, he said that they were a little hard for him to entirely comprehend.

The convocation ceremony being held without the presence of the Governor

Governor’s reaction

After the event, Dhankhar tweeted “Convocation of Calcutta University was at Nazrul Mancha auditorium and not on the campus of Calcutta University. There was total failure of the State Machinery to maintain law and order. The obstruction was stage managed. This happens to constitutional head. Where are we heading!”

https://twitter.com/jdhankhar1/status/1222130484592795649

After his departure, the event was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Sonali Chakravarty Bondhopadhyay.

 “VC sought permission from as Chancellor to proceed with the Convocation,” said one of Dhankhar’s tweets.

https://twitter.com/jdhankhar1/status/1222075986927181829

Ironically, though Dhankhar’s first tweet of the day said, 

“As Chancellor would be presiding Calcutta University (CU) Convocation today. CU will also confer honorary D Litt (honoris causa) on Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee”, it was soon followed by a tweet that said, “The uppermost thought in mind while leaving Calcutta University without attending the Convocation…”

https://twitter.com/jdhankhar1/status/1222018500660584448

Incidentally, post legalisation of the new citizenship bill, similar incidents have happened all over India where students protested during the convocation ceremonies against the new citizenship laws.

President Ram Nath Kovind had to face boycotts, refusal of gold medals and protests from the students when he attended the convocation ceremonies in universities such as BHU and PU.


Image Credits: Google Images

Sources: Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Times of India

Find The Blogger @AyushArcher05


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