Kolkata: Jadavpur University (JU) has become the first major state university to display a poster from Kreeda Bharati, a sports organization founded by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on its official website. The move has ignited a debate among teachers, students, and alumni regarding the university's autonomy and ideological leanings.
Poster Details and Event
The poster promotes an International Yoga Day event scheduled for June 21 on Red Road. It features the slogan 'Bharat Matar Joy Hok' and includes images of yoga poses, asanas, and mantras highlighting yoga's benefits for wellness and India's aspiration to become a 'Vishwaguru' (world leader).
University Administration's Response
JU Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee defended the decision, stating, "They sent the poster for wide circulation and invited me to the event. Yoga is good and recognized worldwide. As it was meant for wide circulation, it was posted on the university website. We don't need to overthink. If Leftists conduct a constructive programme, I will post that too."
Kreeda Bharati's Perspective
Jayanti Mandal Sarkar, sampadika of Kreeda Bharati Dakshin Bango Prant, confirmed meeting the Vice-Chancellor and handing over the poster. "We will call him again after June 8 for participant updates. We are reaching out to various institutes and sports organizations for spontaneous participation," she said. Karyalay pramukh Ghanashyam Chowrasia noted that Kreeda Bharati, established in 1992 by RSS, aims to promote physical fitness, character-building, and national service. Bengal Governor R N Ravi will be the patron-in-chief of the event.
Criticism and Concerns
Many students, teachers, and alumni have expressed strong disapproval. Mechanical engineering student Aditya Mandal said, "This is deeply concerning as a poster of a right-wing group, unrelated to the university, has been uploaded on the official website. If the purpose is to celebrate Yoga Day, we have a physical education department and sports board. This move seems like endorsing an ideology and will weaken students' trust."
Bengali department professor Rajyeswar Sinha stated, "Publishing anything unrelated to the university on the official website is neither permissible by rules nor desirable by ethics." Former professor Tarun Kanti Naskar, who taught at JU for four decades, said, "How could the university upload a poster by an RSS-founded organization? The university is autonomous. This has tarnished the prestige of a premier institute. I protest and demand immediate removal."
