On April 16th, Jadavpur University suddenly canceled the permission previously granted on April 15th for students to celebrate Ram Navami on its campus. The university's registrar issued a notice explaining that this decision was influenced by student protests.

The protests, which occurred outside Aurobindo Bhavan until late on April 16th, saw numerous students express concerns that celebrating Ram Navami could disrupt campus harmony. Protesters argued that the festival is “associated with divisive politics,” suggesting that its celebration could “affect the harmony on the campus and create rifts.”

This controversial decision was publicized extensively on social media, with notable shares by accounts such as BJP West Bengal. The notice outlined three key reasons for the revocation of permission. Initially, it was revealed that there were allegations of “fraudulent use of their names in the list of applicants,” leading to doubts about the legitimacy of the request to celebrate the festival. Additionally, there were several complaints regarding potential communal threats from different student factions, raising concerns about possible disturbances to the campus's peaceful environment.

A third factor influencing the university's decision was adherence to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) mandated by the Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal. In preparation for the upcoming General Lok Sabha Elections in 2024, strict compliance was required. According to the MCC, it is essential to ensure “the right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home life,” as specified under point number six of the Do’s.

An official from Jadavpur University spoke to the Times of India about the initial approval for the celebration of Ram Navami on campus, specifying that it was to be held near Gate 3 from 11 AM to 2 PM. However, this approval was short-lived as the university quickly rescinded the permission, citing multiple concerns.

University registrar Snehmanju Basu elaborated on the reasons behind this reversal. She revealed that the administration had received complaints from several students about receiving threatening letters, which could disturb the harmony of the university environment. She further justified the withdrawal by expressing concern for the students residing in hostels, aiming to prevent any potential difficulties for them. A formal notification outlining these issues was posted on the university's website.

Further complicating matters, another official disclosed that the university had encountered specific allegations regarding the misuse of student names in the application process for event permission. It was also reported that different groups of students had received communal threats, which posed a significant risk to the peace and harmony on campus. Additionally, the need for strict adherence to the model code of conduct was emphasized as a crucial factor in the decision-making process. These combined issues led to the final decision to withdraw permission for the event.

This series of events has sparked debate among students and faculty, with critics arguing that the university's actions might have been overly cautious, potentially infringing on students' rights to celebrate Hindu festivals.

Aditya Palley, an ABVP member and leader of the student group that sought permission for Ram Navami celebrations at Jadavpur University, remains determined to proceed with the event despite the university's revocation of permission. Palley stated that the celebration, including the Puja of Bhagwan Ram and distribution of prasad, will go ahead as planned. He mentioned, "Whether it will be inside the campus or outside the gate will depend on the situation on Wednesday."

The decision to revoke permission has been sharply criticized by political entities as well. The Bharatiya Janata Party (West Bengal) highlighted the issue on social media, sharing the notice from the JU registrar. The BJP's statement criticized the influence of pro-Left student organizations on the decision, claiming, “Registrar of Jadavpur University compelled to withdraw permission to hold a Ram Navami celebration at JU Main Campus under fierce protest from pro-Left student organisations (16.04.2024). Both TMC and CPIM are part of the same coin. Neither can be trusted to stand up for Bengal.”

This revocation has also resonated on social media platforms, where earlier posts had celebrated the anticipated first-ever Ram Navami celebration at Jadavpur University. Keya Ghosh, Media co-incharge of BJP West Bengal, previously expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “For the first time Ram Navami shall be celebrated inside Jadavapur University campus. This impossible task was made possible by JU students like Aditya Palley and others. Heartiest congratulations. Jay Shree Ram.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has voiced strong objections regarding Jadavpur University's decision to withdraw permission for Ram Navami celebrations, attributing the action to pressure from left-wing student organizations. The state BJP asserted that the university was compelled to cancel the event due to influence from these groups, criticizing the political dynamics involving the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPIM]. They stated, "Both TMC and CPIM are part of the same coin. They cannot be trusted to stand up for Bengal."

Amidst this controversy, the Bengal BJP expressed their concerns on social media, claiming that the decision to retract permission stemmed from fears of leftist student organizations. They reiterated their previous statement, emphasizing, "Both Trinamool and CPM are two sides of the same coin. No one can be trusted for the sake of Bengal."

Subvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the state, also commented on the political tensions, linking them to broader issues of governance and political violence. He recounted his experiences, saying, "I went to the Yuva Morcha protest after a student was killed by bagging. You have seen and shown how they tried to attack me in front of a car with Maoist identity. Mamata Banerjee is the anti-state, anti-constitutional gang. Under the shelter of, efforts are being made to comply. Mamata Banerjee's friend CPM in this work."

The BJP's criticism highlights a deep-seated mistrust between major political parties in Bengal, reflecting on how university campuses like Jadavpur become focal points for broader political conflicts. The accusations suggest a climate of intimidation and political manipulation, with significant implications for the freedom of expression and assembly on campus.