Bengal academicians concerned over campus violence

KOLKATA - A group of renowned academicians in West Bengal Wednesday expressed deep concern over sharp escalation of violence in educational institutions, and urged all to take a firm and active stand on the menace.

A statement signed by 40 academicians from reputed educational institutions said the violence has led to a “rapid deterioration” in academic environment across the state.

We, as members of the academic community of the state, wish to express our deep concern over the sharp escalation in violence towards students, as well teachers and other educational workers, the statement said.

It noted that a number of students, teachers and other educational workers have been attacked and murdered, while others have been seriously injured.

The statement said many of the attacks and murders were carried out inside educational institutions. Often, individuals with no academic affiliation or credentials have led such attacks.”

We urge all individuals to take a firm and active stand against encouragement, abetment and toleration of violence in educational institutions, and in defense of a democratic tradition of free debate, student activism and political pluralism, the statement said.

West Bengal has seen a spate of campus violence recently that has claimed the life of one student in December. Clashes between student unions of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Trinamool Congress have left at least 10 injured.