Visva-Bharati students affiliated to the SFI and Trinamul Chhatra Parishad set aside their political differences and marched in a flag-less rally in Santiniketan on Thursday, demanding reopening of hostels as physical classes have resumed.
In an unusual show of solidarity, supporters, along with those from a few other students’ outfits, protested in front of the varsity main gates for a message of unity on the issue to varsity authorities.
Asked what brought the bitter rivals together, student leaders of both said the issue of hostels was “above politics” and involved the “safety and security” of students, particularly women, who may have to use public transport over long distances every day to attend classes.
“Since physical classes have resumed, hostels need to reopen to ensure that students attend the classes without hassle. We can’t make students bear the needless brunt of transport cost on a daily basis. Closure of hostels is challenge for students, particularly women, to attend classes regularly,” said SFI leader Somnath Sow, who is also the CPM candidate in ward 2 for the civic body polls on February 27. “So, we are here not as political representatives. This is above politics and a question of individual well-being,” he added.
Meenakshi Bhattacharya, unit president of the Trinamul’s students’ wing at Visva Bharati, concurred. “We have come together to put pressure on the authorities to reopen hostels. The matter is far from being a political one, rather it is a basic right of students,” she said.
Residents lauded the effort, noting the show of solidarity was “encouraging”, despite the upcoming civic polls.
Asked, varsity officials said “infrastructure work” delayed the reopening of hostels and the matter was being attended to.
In a separate incident on campus, a group of students held a protest demanding that an Arabic degree be started by the varsity in light of classes in the same discipline.
“Students giving their time to the discipline should have the option of earning a degree at the end of their efforts,” said a student.