Jadavpur University stalemate ends: VC agrees to step down after CM Mamata Banerjee intervenes

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked Jadavpur University Vice Chancellor Abhijit Chakrabati to step down from his post on Monday as she met students on hunger strike demanding his removal.

Ten students began indefinite hunger on since January 5 and were joined by seven others later. Three of the 17 students were later admitted to hospital after their condition deteriorated.

Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee meets Jadavpur University students pic.twitter.com/PhOeTmIcxv

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 12, 2015

The students of Jadavpur University celebrated the move. "She said that she had a meeting inside with all the students, who are on the fast. She called up the VC and said that the VC is resigning, the moment she said everyone shouted slogans of 'Inquilab Zindabad' that is 'Long Live the Revolution'. What we can see is that the faith resolved in united struggle, the faith resolved in united students movement," said a girl student.

"I want to congratulate each and everyone who stayed all the way with us. I want to congratulate all the parents who supported us and also had a fast today for 24 hours. This movement showed us that wherever there is gender violence, wherever there are democratic rights which are harmed; the people know how to stand against it," she added.

Another male student at the Jadavpur University said that patriarchy will never survive here.

"This victory is a victory for independent students' movement and people's rise against patriarchy. The people are just frustrated against all sorts of gender violence, gender violence will not be tolerated," he added.

The West Bengal Chief Minister's decision came following protests by the students and teachers who were demanding Chakrabati's removal since September last year owing to a delayed reaction in the alleged molestation case of a female student.

The girl student was allegedly molested inside the campus on August 28 last year.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi had earlier warned Chakraborty against delayed action in the molestation case. He had also expressed concern on the condition of some fasting students.

Three of the 17 students, who were sitting on an indefinite hunger strike, were later admitted to hospital after their condition deteriorated. The parents of the fasting students had also joined the hunger strike.