Hindu Hostel row: Presidency University suspends two students

KOLKATA: Presidency University has suspended two students whose actions had led to unrest at Hindu Hostel last month. It also issued caution letters to two others involved and barred all four from the hostel. The four are members of TMCP students’ union.
The high power committee to probe into the allegations in its report identified Ankan Das, Mrityunjoy Kumar Mondal, Kallal Karmakar and Pranab Saha Chowdhury for carrying out “illegal” and “coercive” acts.
The order signed by dean of students Arun Kumar Maiti said, “In order to protect and preserve the legacy of academic excellence of this 200-year-old institute, a high-powered committee was formed by the VC, which was entrusted to hold a detailed enquiry...”
The first issue was reported in August, 2022, regarding an incident of student unrest and violence in and outside campus. In the second incident on February 22, TMCP supporters, including some Presidency students, allegedly tried to forcefully enter the hostel.
The order recounted that “the situation became so terrifying that some students stopped coming to the university in August, 2022”. It also noted the attack on the university property by some students along with some unidentified persons late on February 22.
Karmakar and Das were debarred from admission to Hindu Hostel and suspended from all academic activities during the current semester, while caution was issued against Mandol and Chowdhury. Das, secretary of PUTMCP, said, “In both the cases we were the victims whom the authorities decided to punish.”