Jadavpur University assistant professor Doyeeta Majumder argues with BJP supporters near 8B bus stand on Monda... Read More

KOLKATA: A Jadavpur University English professor on Monday alleged she was roughed up by BJP supporters when she protested against a BJP leader, who was speaking against a particular community and the university at a public meeting near 8B Bus stand. Two students, Pinaki Dhole and Rahi Halder, who had rushed to defend her, were also assaulted, she claimed.

JU students later protested before the Jadavpur police station. BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya, who was present at the meeting, denied the charges.

Doyeeta Majumder wrote on her Facebook account, “On my way back from an anti-CAA rally, I ran into a saffron outfit at 8b, and got totally roughed up and hit by BJP ‘bhodromohilas’. I am fine, no lasting harm done, only shuddering at the infinite horrors in store for us.” Majumdar said unable to take the BJP leader’s hate speech, she had shouted “mithye kotha” (it’s a lie), twice. “That this could happen to me in Jadavpur, where I live and work, at the hands of middle-aged middle-class women, is a sign of the times we live in,” she wrote, adding that she thanked her “lucky stars” that she lives in Kolkata.

The Jadavpur University Arts Faculty Students’ Union and the Jadavpur University Teachers Association (Juta) also condemned the “attack”.

According to a senior BJP leader, the party had organised a pro-CAA rally in Jadavpur near Coffee House. Majumdar’s attempt to intervene while a leader was speaking on the dais irked some party workers. The leader said the party supporters tried to chase away the woman, whose identity they did not know, when a few students tried to step in and create ruckus. Alerted, police formed a barricade between the BJP meeting and JU students, who by then, had gathered to protest against the incident at Lenin Statue.

Bhattacharya, BJP state leader, also denied the charges and instead, blamed the teacher for instigating people who were listening to BJP speakers. Police said they were investigating the complaint. “We will reach out to the academic for a formal complaint, stating the charges she has levelled in her social media post. Appropriate action will be taken,” an officer said. Students staged a protest at the police station till late, demanding immediate action.

