Radical Socialist expresses serious concern over the alleged police violence on some of the protesting students of Presidency University earlier today, 21^st August. A section of students of the University had attempted to show black flags to the Chief Minister of West Bengal during his visit to the University. Extreme sensitivity to any form of criticism, and the violent response shown to criticism, has been a hallmark of the current regime from its inception. The Chief Minister, well known for the way she has patronised thugs in her own party, and the way she has condoned overt violence by party thugs, signifying such events as little mistakes by small kids, was found in a pontificating mood. Police during her regime is regularly being used to prevent dissent voices, even if they are most peaceful, democratic, rudimentary and miniscule in nature which in any sense cannot pose threat to the rule. So, there are enough reasons to believe in the claim by the protesting students. Injuries to some of the students are a proof of the allegation. However, in absence of any video footage and existence of counter claims, we demand an independent and neutral inquiry mechanism in place followed by punitive actions against the guilty.The Vice Chancellor of the University has shown the typical role of all VCs under the present regime, and has shut her eyes and has been claiming that she “[does] not know whether someone was injured”. By this callous attitude, she has condemned herself from her own mouth.

Democratic rights of opponents in West Bengal have been severely curtailed. Students of Presidency University are hardly isolated in this. For the crime of being active in trade unions not affiliated to the TMC affiliated union, contract workers in Haldia are dismissed and thrown out of their jobs. Rural Bengal has been seeing recurrent bouts of violence inflicted on people belonging to opposition parties, or simply people opposing actions of the TMC. For the crime of protesting the rape and murder of a young student in Kamduni, the Headmaster of the local school has been transferred to a distant place.

In condemning the violence at Presidency University, we therefore urge everyone to realise the context. Democratic rights are indivisible. If one cannot defend democratic rights in Haldia, in Kamduni, in a myriad other localities, it will be impossible to imagine that democratic rights will be intact in Presidency University or elsewhere.

• Solidarity with the students of Presidency University

• Defend democratic rights across West Bengal

Radical Socialist, 21 August, 2015