The West Bengal Minorities Commission has taken a significant step in the ongoing hijab-related controversy at Jadavpur University. The commission has formally recommended that the Head of the Department of English, Saswati Haldar, should not be allowed to visit the university campus until the inquiry into the incident is fully concluded.
Commission's Visit and Key Demands
A seven-member delegation from the Minority Commission visited Jadavpur University on Tuesday. The team held discussions with Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, Pro Vice-Chancellor Amitava Datta, and Registrar Selim Box Mandal. During the meeting, the panel sought comprehensive details about the measures the university has implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Commission chairperson Ahmed Hasan Imran explained the rationale behind the recommendation regarding the HoD. He stated that the university has already constituted a fact-finding committee, which is expected to submit its report within 30 days. "Meanwhile, we have also asked the university to inform us about the steps taken during this period," Imran said. "We have stated that, in the meantime, the HoD who targeted the girl for wearing the hijab, and who also asked several irrelevant questions, should not be allowed to enter the university until the investigation is over, as she may influence the investigation."
Student's Condition and University's Response
The commission members also interacted directly with the student involved in the incident and her parents. Imran noted that both the student and her parents are deeply frightened and require counselling support. The commission questioned the university administration on why counselling had not been arranged sooner. In response, the Vice-Chancellor assured the panel that this matter would be addressed promptly.
In an official statement, Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee appealed for calm and reaffirmed the institution's core values. "I appeal to all stakeholders of Jadavpur University to reaffirm our shared commitment to inter-faith harmony and the dignity of diversity," he said. The statement emphasized that the university, founded on ideals of learning and reason, has long served as a confluence of diverse cultures, languages, and beliefs. It urged the community to resolve differences through dialogue, empathy, and restraint, while rejecting prejudice and misinformation.
Background of the Incident and Ongoing Actions
The controversy stems from an incident on December 23, where a student alleged that an invigilator during an examination asked her to partially remove her hijab and posed irrelevant questions to her regarding it. Following the allegations, the university initiated a formal inquiry.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that HoD Saswati Haldar submitted a detailed report to the Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor on Monday. This report provided a chronological account of the events that transpired on the day in question. The university's fact-finding committee is now tasked with examining all aspects of the case, including the submitted report and the student's complaint, before delivering its findings.
The West Bengal Minorities Commission's intervention highlights the sensitivity of the issue and underscores the demand for a fair and impartial investigation. The commission's recommendations aim to ensure the probe is not compromised while the affected student receives necessary support.
