Kolkata: Jadavpur University (JU), a longstanding hub for left-liberal ideologies in West Bengal, witnessed its first Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) morning drill on Tuesday, just days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed office in the state. This event marks a significant shift in the campus's political landscape, where left-leaning and far-left student unions have traditionally held sway.
RSS Presence Expands in Bengal
The entry of RSS into JU underscores the organization's remarkable growth in Bengal. According to RSS figures, the number of 'shakhas' (branches) in the state has surged from 1,350 in 2012 to 4,325 in 2026. JU, along with other prominent colleges like Presidency University, has never had a right-wing student union. The university has consistently elected leftist or ultra-leftist unions, including the Jadavpur University Students' Forum (JUSF), which emerged from the Independents' Consolidation movement at Presidency University in 1996.
Details of the Morning Drill
Twenty permanent and contractual staff members, all residing on campus, participated in the one-hour session held behind Aurobindo Bhavan starting at 6:30 am. The first 40 minutes were dedicated to physical exercise and yoga, followed by a 'Bauddhik' (intellectual) session focusing on worshiping the motherland with the aim of establishing India as a 'Vishwa Guru' (world teacher).
Palas Maji, an RSS karyakarta and employee in JU's physics department, expressed his excitement: "History was created today as we started an RSS shakha at JU. I am thrilled. JU is the first institution in Bengal to have an RSS shakha on its campus." Maji also serves as the general secretary of the West Bengal University Karmachari Parishad.
Ideological Content of the Session
During the intellectual session, participants recited 'Amrit Bachan' (thoughts of RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar), emphasizing the sanctity of the motherland and the power of the shakha system to unite Hindus. They also chanted 'Subhasitam', which asserts that Hindus worldwide are brothers, and discussed the importance of 'Hindu Samrajjyo Dinotsab' (Hindu Empire Day), commemorating the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to be observed on May 29.
Political Context and Reactions
Maji criticized the left-aligned groups for sidelining nationalist ideology and promoting anti-national activities on campus. "With a nationalist government in the state, we mustered the courage to start a shakha to restore nationalist ideology on the campus. Our university has been inspired by early nationalist leaders such as Rishi Aurobindo Ghosh," he said.
Professor Partha Pratim Biswas of JU offered a balanced perspective: "The university has always been known for its plurality, and people holding different views have coexisted here. But students' union elections have always been dominated by left or left-aligned organizations, who are anti-establishment in nature. Even within teachers' associations, there are many aligned to the left. I feel all this could be seen as an exhibition of power on the campus following the change of guard in the state."
Participation and Symbolism
Participants did not wear the full RSS uniform—brown pants, white shirt, cap, and belt—which is reserved for special occasions. Instead, they wore clean attire. Maji noted, "For most of the employees, it was their first shakha experience. We did not hoist the Bhagwa Dhwaj (saffron flag) as it was our first shakha."
Rashman Issai, an employee in the English department, remarked, "JU has been a stronghold of left and ultra-left politics. Holding a shakha here is a historical achievement." Group D employee Tarak Nath Shit added, "Students' unions have always been controlled by left-leaning organizations. A significant section of teachers is left-oriented, too. So it was unthinkable to organize a shakha in JU. Now that BJP has come to office, we got the confidence to start a shakha at JU."
