Kolkata: Most classes in several Jadavpur University departments were called off, while some were shifted online, as students anticipated commuting problems during CM Suvendu Adhikari’s “saffron march” rally on Wednesday. Teachers reported low attendance in classes that were held on campus.A two-day national workshop on Canadian Studies, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the comparative literature department, was rescheduled to Thursday and Friday.However, departments including Bengali, economics, computer science and film studies continued with regular classes. An evening class at the Bengali department was also held, though attendance was around 50%.A philosophy department professor said, “Classes after 2 pm were called off as there would be commuting problems for both students and teachers. Suspending classes due to external reasons affects the academic functioning of the university.” Many students and teachers left the campus by 3 pm as JU shut four of its five gates on Raja S C Mullick Road from 4pm.Third-year English student Priyanshu Pal said, “All our scheduled lectures and sessions were shifted online as a significant number of students could face difficulties due to traffic.” Comparative literature student Ayendri Mitra didn’t come as the workshop had been rescheduled. History third-year student Atrita Chatterjee said, “I did not attend classes because of travel disruption. But around 20 people attended. The normal number is around 40-45.”Electrical engineering associate professor Arindam Sil said, “Most classes in our department were called off as students were unwilling to come to campus, apprehending problems while returning home.” Computer science engineering professor Nandini Mukhopadhyay said, “The attendance was not bad as students attended my lab session from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.” International relations assistant professor Subhajit Naskar said, “A three-day national convention — International Relations Scholastic Conclave — began on Wednesday. Participation was low as people feared travel problems due to road closures.”Some engineering students met VC Chiranjib Bhattacharjee and demanded students’ union elections and the suspension of those allegedly involved in the midnight campus vandalism on Aug 20. SFI-affiliated students marched to Aurobindo Bhavan and submitted a deputation seeking an immediate Executive Council meeting for the proper functioning of the university. They demanded a democratic atmosphere on campus and an end to disruptions in academic activities.ABVP JU unit president Nikhil Das said the organisation welcomed the appointment of the new registrar and finance officer. “We demanded the removal of the VC as well.” Goutam Maity, general secretary of ABUTA, said, “An atmosphere of panic prevailed on campus, affecting the normal teaching, learning and research environment.”
