Academicians issue statement against campus violence in West Bengal

Updated on: Thursday, December 30, 2010

A group of 40 renowned academicians in West Bengal have issued a signed statement against the campus violence expressing "deep concern" over "sharp escalation" of violence in educational institutions and urged all to take a firm and active stand on the menace.

"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.

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 aded.

West Bengal has seen a steep trise in acts of campus violence that had also 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.

Academicians issue statement against campus violence in West Bengal

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