The vice-chancellor of Aliah University who was abused and assaulted by a section of students last week was moved to tears while recounting the humiliation during a television interview on Monday.
While narrating the April 1 torment, VC Mahammad Ali told TV channel ABP Ananda: “They are our students? Can they behave like this? Can they tell a VC that ‘we will slap you’, ‘hold your ears’. I could not take it any more.”
Trying to fight back tears, Ali said: “I have a feeling that I have immensely failed as a teacher.”
Ali, who taught chemistry at Jadavpur University before taking over as VC, said he would not return to the Aliah campus because he “does not feel safe and respected”. He went to consult a cardiologist on Monday.
“I was mentally tortured and abused with filthy language. As a teacher I feel ashamed and am terrified. I felt suffocated…. I could not take it…. I have lost interest in Aliah. After this incident I am not feeling safe and respected. How can I return to a place where there is no respect for me? I want to return to Jadavpur University,” Ali said.
A video showing a youth whom the VC identified as Giyasuddin Mondal, a former president of the Aliah University unit of the Trinamul Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), gesticulating at and verbally abusing the VC has been widely circulated on social media.
“I usually slap hard. You can ask anyone…. I have been in jail (for offences) under non-bailable sections. You have to cancel the list (shortlist for PhD). Hold your ear,” the man identified as Giyasuddin could be heard shouting at the VC.
Giyasuddin was arrested on Sunday afternoon.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee told a news conference at Nabanna on Monday: “At Aliah University, students might have some grievances. A student who has used some slightly foul language has been arrested.”
An Aliah University official said Giyasuddin, along with his supporters, had stormed the VC’s office alleging that Ali had inducted names of his choice on the list of students eligible for the PhD programme.
When asked how a student leader who was expelled for a year in 2019 could dare barge into his office, the VC said: “He has been like this from the very beginning. I don’t know where he gets the audacity from.”
Ali’s four-year tenure as VC is to expire on April 12. He has written to Jadavpur University VC, Suranjan Das, expressing his willingness to resume teaching there upon completion of his tenure at Aliah University.
Ali reiterated his allegation that police from the local Techno City police station did not respond to his call for help on April 1.
“I called the police before the students barged in, telling them to come fast and help me. I told them if these students, particularly Giyasuddin and his supporters, came, it would trigger trouble. They said they would look into it and then disconnected the line. Thereafter they did not respond,” he said.
He first raised the allegation of police inaction on Saturday.
The Telegraph called Surya Pratap Yadav, deputy commissioner, headquarters, Bidhannagar commissionerate, and also sent him a text message on Sunday, seeking his response on the alleged inaction. He neither answered the calls nor replied to the text message till late on Monday.
Giyasuddin was produced in a Barasat court on Monday and remanded in police custody for seven days. He has been charged under various IPC sections, including 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 379 (theft), among others.