'Will respond like Bose, not Gandhi': Adhikari's warning to Jadavpur 'anti-nationals'
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has threatened 'strict' action against students at Jadavpur University who raise anti-national slogans. Simultaneously, the government introduced a bill to allow inter-university staff transfers, which critics argue threatens academic autonomy.
Why it matters
The intersection of political rhetoric regarding nationalism and legislative changes to university administration highlights ongoing tensions in Indian higher education.
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday warned that his government would take a tough approach towards those he described as sympathisers of "anti-national forces" at Jadavpur University, saying they would need "strict medicines".Speaking in the state assembly, Adhikari said the government would respond in the language of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose rather than Mahatma Gandhi if slogans demanding freedom for Kashmir were raised on the university campus.He also said Jadavpur University would receive Rs 1,300 crore in grants, but warned that those raising slogans such as "Bharat tere tukde honge" would be dealt with firmly.CM backs university staff transfer BillAdhikari was speaking as the government introduced a Bill that would allow teaching and non-teaching employees to be transferred between state universities.The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was approved by the state Cabinet on September 8.
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