Will it lead to an uproar?
In defiance, University employees have already made it clear that freedom of speech in the University will not be controlled under any circumstances. A section of JU employees have already decided to protest against the decision by the state government. After all, University is where students go to sharpen their minds, their arguments and debate. By stifling free speech, it will achieve the opposite. The University teachers are taking this gag order seriously.
The Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA) held its general body meeting on Friday, where they have been discussing how they should approach this entire issue. Taking a strong objection to the included clauses in the draft statue which has raised fear of gagging any opposition voice in university by the government, JUTA observed that there will be univocal protest against the additions made in draft statue and demand for the withdrawal of those clauses.
The teachers, officers and non-teaching staff, have already declared it as yet another instance of vendetta politics.
The clause states that any employee found guilty of “unethical propagation” of views against the interest of the university and policies of the state government are liable for punishment that may also take his job. What is an ‘unethical propagation’? It seems to be a catch all phrase that the University authorities under the Government direction can use against any form of criticism. Is critical analysis and debate ‘unethical’?
JU teachers see this as a “draconian step” to stifle non-conformist views in the mass media, a step that is likely to be replicated in other state universities as well. The state government had earlier tried a similar restriction on state government college teachers that didn’t work out as planned.
The Mamta government needs to keep in mind that University politics Vermula had led to crisis in Andhra Pradesh, and had also led to severe criticism of then HRD minister Smriti Irani. The Mamta Government should connect with the young voters in her state and not fear their voices. Freedom of expression should be the rule of the state that has traditionally been known for free flowing thought process.
The State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee has promised to look into the matter. But the opposition government has already grabbed the issue and has been highlighting that the state government has imposed a dictatorial rule. They have been supporting the students and the university teachers. CPI (M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said by imposing such order, the democratic environment of the university will be
harmed.
Bengal has been the crucible of ideas in India with great free thinkers like Tagore and Amartya Sen. Mamta Benarjee should defend the great tradition of the state and not stifle it with incoherent words such as ‘unethical propagation’.. She should celebrate Bengal’s heritage of free speech and not gag it.