I started protesting what had happened in JU with my remarks on Facebook but what followed soon after was a lot of messages from people who felt I was a Left sympathiser. I should start by saying that I understand nothing of politics. I have zero knowledge of how things work within a political agenda.

All I know is that I hate the fact that whenever there’s a crisis in this city, it becomes a political issue. Political parties start maligning each other instead of focusing on the problem and I absolutely oppose that.

I am an ex-JU student [2002 batch, history (honours)] and this university is one place where I’ve learnt to become independent, gather strength and voice my opinion. This university taught me that having a spine is most important. I have seen during my time the relationship between students and professors. They would even share a smoke! Those days were so precious to me that it was heartbreaking to see what happened on Tuesday night.

I remember attending Sanskriti (the annual fest on campus) and walking around at night, through the engineering departments and hostels, spending our days in that space. Never did I feel insecure. How can women’s safety on campus be compromised today? And the VC has not come up with answers.

I walked today because it’s important to be present in person and take a stand instead of just talking about it on Facebook and clicking ‘like’s. Those who’ve done wrong must take responsibility and not run away. So many students cannot be lying. We’ve seen video footage. Everything cannot be made up.

I was there to stand for women and their security on campus. It would have been terrible to sit at home and watch it on television. They are students and not criminals and what they demand is not something that is impossible to meet.

I was there today keeping my professional role of an actress aside but when so many students came up to me and thanked me for being there, I realised that it is also important for people like us to show solidarity.

My parents, like most others, were a bit worried about me and that I might get labelled an affiliate to a certain party but if I didn’t come out in support today, then when would I? It doesn’t necessarily mean I’m doing politics and tagging this to a political motive would be foolish.

I was happy that my sister (Ajopa) and brother-in-law (Suvro) wanted to accompany me on the walk although they’re not from JU. I met a lot of my batchmates and it felt good to have all come together for the same cause.

I never thought I would be walking the streets of Calcutta in a rally but it made me feel like a regular ex-student, a common Calcuttan.

The last time I walked in a rally was more than a decade ago, that too for JU on some issue when I was a student. Walking today I felt very grounded in what felt like a personal space.

And I have never screamed out slogans before, but I did today!

It’s important as a woman because we demand safety and that people own up to their irresponsible attitude, say sorry and provide a solution. This is not a time to hold on to your egos.

I’m all for the slogan: Dekhiye debe Jadavpur!

KEEP POLITICS OUT OF EDUCATION, PLEASE

ANJAN DUTT

I walked today because I had no political agenda. I’ve always refrained from politics, never been keenly interested, be it left or right. But as an artiste (actor-director-musician) I’m bothered about a social cause.

I usually don’t participate in rallies because they have a political colour. Nandigram perhaps didn’t and that’s why I had accompanied Mrinalda (Sen). That was the last time I had walked in a rally.

Walking today made a difference to me as an individual because I also need to answer myself.

And I felt very comfortable because they were all students — young, apolitical and enjoying themselves. No feeling of war but a lot of energy. And that is the spirit of democracy.

My faith in young people got reassured. They didn’t go out of their way to celebrate the celebrities and the known faces also blended in with the crowd in support of the cause.

I walked as long as I could in the rain and I’m hopeful about the situation. I too believe that the Jadavpur University VC should either admit his mistake and resign, and if he doesn’t admit his mistake he must resign all the more. The way he handled the situation was inhuman.

There must be a space for people to protest democratically and the educational sphere must give primacy to the voice of the student.

I thought today’s rally was peaceful, democratic and apolitical, just the way real protest should be. Politics will never give us the ideal government so I have no pent-up fury. We’ll have to live with politics and corruption but any act of violence is uncondonable.

Suman Mukhopadhyay

Yes, I’ve had my personal issues with the present government, of being cornered as anti-state and living in a constant state of struggle and conflict, fighting for my films and theatre. But keeping that aside I had to walk with the students today because what happened in JU was a blow to democracy.

Educational institutions should have autonomy but if that too is compromised by police and the government’s hidden discourse then nothing remains. Those in power always try to intrude into the spheres of education and culture but that, if it happens, will lead to the advent of a new force — autocracy.

Students maybe wrong on many counts but you need to have a dialogue. Not call the police and get them beaten up.

Today what we saw was an amalgamation of the various incidents in the recent past, political disruption and corruption doubled by police interference.

Anandi Ghose
documentary and short filmmaker

I condemn the unleashing of such brutal force on students, especially by their protectors. It cannot be justified. It’s a severe violation of rights and the VC has completely failed his office. However, I hope the students keep their focus on the roots of what they are fighting for and not let political parties manipulate them for their own agenda.

Neel Dutt
musician

I wanted to stand beside my friends and walk with everyone to protest against the totally uncalled for brutality that took place on their campus. I sincerely hope their demands are resolved soon and campus life returns to normal.

Text: Mohua Das
Pictures: Anup Bhattacharya

Why did you walk in Saturday’s rally? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com