Education Minister Sides with Students in Calcutta University VC Controversy

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu spoke out on Saturday, stating that interim Vice-Chancellor Shanta Dutta should not have entered Calcutta University's campus. This follows a nine-hour gherao by the Trinamool Congress students' wing, who alleged Dutta's term had ended. Dutta contended she was appointed by the Governor.

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Saturday voiced his opinion that interim Vice-Chancellor Shanta Dutta should not have entered Calcutta University's campus. This comment comes in the wake of a protest where the university's students' wing, Trinamool Congress (TMCP), gheraoed Dutta for over nine hours.

The TMCP students accused Dutta of presiding over a meeting of the Syndicate, the university's highest decision-making body, despite her term having concluded. Dutta countered by noting her appointment by Governor CV Ananda Bose, who serves as the Chancellor of the university.

Minister Basu, speaking at another educational institution, questioned how Dutta could still use a vehicle with a blue beacon when her official term as VC has ended. He added that interim VCs appointed by governors are not authorized to continue their roles following a Supreme Court order for a search committee to appoint permanent VCs.

(With inputs from agencies.)