Kolkata: Dharmendra Pradhan slams WB Govt for “disrespecting” constitutional bodies

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday in Kolkata, launched a scathing attack on the West Bengal government, accusing it of disrespecting constitutional bodies and following undemocratic practices.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, Pradhan said, “In Bengal, not giving respect to the constitutional bodies has become a policy of the State government. The state government here has the mindset of confrontation.

If you will not go by the constitutional arrangements then is the Governor responsible for this? In Bengal, the state government follows many undemocratic practices due to which confrontation happens.”

Pradhan was referring to the recent controversy surrounding the appointment of vice-chancellors in state universities. The West Bengal government has been accused of bypassing the Governor, who is the Chancellor of all state universities, in the appointment process.

The Union Minister also criticized the state government for its handling of the education sector. He said that the education system in West Bengal was in a state of collapse and that the government was not doing enough to improve it.

Pradhan’s attack on the West Bengal government comes at a time when the BJP is trying to expand its footprint in the state. The party is hoping to make gains in the next assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held in 2026.

Earlier, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on August 20 called the death of a student at Jadavpur University campus ‘worrisome and unfortunate’, and assured of initiating action into the incident.

Pradhan said that the University Grant Commission (UGC) has taken the matter ‘seriously’ and that measures are being taken up to prevent ‘ragging’-related incidents.