Calcutta HC takes suo motu cognizance of Visva Bharati dispute

Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Friday took suo motu cognizance of a recent incident at the Visva Bharati and constituted a four-member committee to find a solution to the ongoing dispute over the central university’s campus.

The panel to be spearheaded by Justice Sanjib Bandopadhyay, will have three other members — Justice Arijit Bandopadhyay, Advocate General Kishor Dutta and Additional Solicitor General Y.J. Dastur.

Sources said the committee will look into the issue to arrive at an amicable solution between both the parties.

The incident took place last month when a large number of local people, backed by the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress leaders, went on the rampage protesting against the construction of a boundary wall at the Pous Mela ground that belongs to Visva Bharati in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.

Tensions had heightened as the authorities decided to fence off the Mela ground by erecting a boundary wall and started the construction work. Hundreds of irate locals, under the banner of Save Pous Mela Committee, had barged into the fair ground, damaged university property and vandalised temporary shelters.

Enraged people were seen breaking plastic chairs and other temporary structures. They had also dismantled one of the varsity gates using a JCB pay-loader machine.

According to varsity sources, the Visva Bharati authorities decided to scrap the Pous Mela for its ‘bitter experience’ with the local traders in the last two years while organising the fair. There were tussles between the authorities and local traders and artisans in the past for making the latter comply with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines.

–IANS

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