West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar reacted sharply to the Trimamool Congress’ statement and said that he had visited Jadavpur University after discussing the matter with chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
In a press statement issued by the office of the Governor, it was said that before his visit to Jadavpur University – the Governor and Chancellor of JU – had “exhausted all possible avenues” and had taken up the matter with the state’s DGP and the Chief Secretary” and that “as a final step before going”, the Governor had connected with the state’s chief minister.
It was said in the statement that he had apprised her of the “grave situation and the consequences it may entail”. The statement also said that there were many telephonic interactions with her which the Governor would not like to divulge in order to respect the high regard for the office of the CM. He added though that “he left for the place after sufficient time had elapsed and the situation did not show any change.”
The statement said that the Vice chancellor and the pro-Vice Chancellor had left the University and the union minister continued to be detained, and the Governor took the call to connect with the students in his capacity as Chancellor and “being the guardian of the students”.
He said that he was “conscious of the oath of office” – which is being seen as a direct attack on the Trinamool Congress statement. In the Trinamool’s statement, the party’s general secretary Partha Chatterjee had written: “we strongly oppose his [the Governor’s] political views”. The Governor – a constitutional position – does not represent a political party or any specific political ideology, but in saying so, Chatterjee had indicated that the Bengal Governor had gone against what he is expected to represent.
“It is unfortunate that the Secretary General of the All India Trinamool Congress, through a press release yesterday, has stated that the Governor did not inform the Government and has not taken the State Govt into confidence before making a visit. Obviously he did not know of the developments that took place between the Governor and the DGP/CS as also the conversation with the Hon’ble Chief Minister,” the press statement said.
The Governor also criticised the role of the university vice chancellor and the state police at JU yesterday. “The issue of serious lapses by the University VC, including virtual abandonment of his obligations, and apparent failure of the State Police Administration in attending to the situations appropriately and inadequate security arrangements for the Governor/Chancellor during his visit are receiving his attention for way forward steps,” the note said.
