Politics may hijack protest cause

KOLKATA: A day after the attack on Jadavpur University students, politicians of all shades — from extreme Left to the rightist ABVP — paid a visit to the campus on Thursday to fish in troubled waters. Their presence, however, has become a major cause of concern of JU students who fear that the original cause — ensuring justice for the molested girl — will be hijacked now.
Though there was an attempt to put up a united front with over 6,000 students from JU and other colleges joining a massive rally on Thursday, the conflict was visible in the general body meetings of Fetsu (Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union) and AFSU (Arts Faculty Students’ Union). Though both meetings were organized around the same time, the leaders avoided eye contact. AFSU was first off the block claiming in a pamphlet that there was an attempt to keep it outside the protest. “Why is this we-they divide?” asked the pamphlet.
SFI was clearer in its claim. “While we all agree on the objectives — ensuring the removal of VC and speedy justice for the molested victim — what is wrong if different organizations take different roads to achieve them? Why is the DSF (which controls Fetsu) trying to make everything so exclusive?’’ questioned Soumajit Rajak, SFI state committee member.
DSF though questioned the very motive of the SFI. “We have not for once organized anything under the DSF banner. Even today we believe its time to work together. Hence, we have held meetings where anyone could come and air their opinion,” said a Fetsu office-bearer.
Meanwhile, Fetsu has called for a grand rally from Rabindra Sadan to the governor’s residence on Saturday. “We have three demands — resignation of the VC, pro-VC and the registrar, speedy justice for the molest survivor and a clear statement from the police minister, in this case CM Mamata Banerjee. But I request all to assemble at Rabindra Sadan without party flags. We want no one to shift focus from our core demands,” said Chiranjit Ghosh, Fetsu general secretary.
The common students have filled up the social media questioning why the protests are taking a political colour. “It is a demand of the right of students. Why can’t we think beyond political gains?” asked a third year electrical engineering student.