KOLKATA – A major political storm has erupted in West Bengal as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee trade sharp barbs over the state of Jadavpur University (JU). Speaking at a “Vijay Sankalp” rally in the Jadavpur constituency on April 24, 2026, the Prime Minister labeled the premier institution a symbol of “anarchy” under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule, sparking an immediate and fierce defense from the Chief Minister.
The row comes at a critical juncture as West Bengal undergoes a two-phase Assembly election on April 23 and April 29, with results scheduled for May 4, 2026.
The Prime Minister’s Allegations
Addressing a massive crowd, PM Modi claimed that the university—once globally respected for its academic foundation of “nationalism”—has devolved into a space of threats and anti-national activity.
- The “Anarchy” Barb: Modi accused the campus of hosting “anti-national slogans” on its walls and claimed students are “forced to protest on the roads” instead of studying.
- Governance Failure: He questioned whether a government that cannot “save” a top-tier institute like JU is fit to manage the future of the state.
Mamata Banerjee’s Rebuttal: ‘Democracy in Motion’
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was quick to counter, describing the Prime Minister’s remarks as an insult to the merit of Bengal’s students.
- The Merit Argument: Banerjee argued that JU students earn their places through intellect and that the ability to “question” is not anarchy, but the peak of academic excellence.
- “Democracy in Motion”: In a scathing social media post, she redefined the protests at JU as “democracy in motion,” contrasting it with what she called the “real anarchy” of bulldozer politics and religious division.
Jadavpur University: By the Numbers
Despite the political crossfire, JU continues to hold strong in national rankings, a point highlighted by the Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA):
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
| NIRF | State Public Universities | 1st |
| NIRF | University Category | 9th |
| NIRF | Overall India | 18th |
The Faculty’s Stance
JUTA Secretary Partha Pratim Ray expressed disappointment over the PM’s “ill-informed” remarks, noting that the university was born out of the anti-British movement. The teachers’ body also raised two critical issues:
- Funding Crisis: JUTA alleged that the Centre has withheld funds under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).
- Status Denied: Despite meeting all criteria, the university has yet to be granted the ‘Institute of Eminence’ status by the central government.
Context of the Conflict
The Prime Minister’s comments come following recent campus unrest, including a violent clash in February 2026 between rival student groups (SFI and WTI) that left several teachers and students injured. While the administration has set up a probe panel to investigate “institutional failures,” the university community remains united against what they perceive as a political attempt to malign the institution’s heritage.