West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a stern warning to state-run universities, threatening to block their funds if they follow the orders of Governor CV Ananda Bose. The Chief Minister also cautioned of a sit-in protest outside Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s residence. She stated, “If you interfere with any university or if any university or college takes your order, I will create economic obstructions. Tit for tat. No compromise. Let me see how you pay the salaries of university staff. We never interfere in the education system.” Banerjee’s remarks come amidst a long-standing dispute between the state government and Raj Bhavan regarding the governance of state universities.
This clash reflects a broader trend of confrontation between governors and state governments in non-BJP ruled states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Bihar over the administration of state universities. State governments argue that governors should play a nominal role in university affairs and oppose their proactive involvement.
Banerjee’s strong statement follows a recent circular from Raj Bhavan, which stated that university officials should not take direct orders from the state government without the knowledge and consent of the vice chancellor. This circular has further intensified the ongoing dispute, which has been simmering since 2019 when former Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar assumed office.
In her address during a Teachers’ Day celebration, Banerjee emphasized the need to defend the federal structure and the education system, signaling a possible legal battle in the days ahead. The conflict over university governance appears to be far from resolved, and its outcome could have implications for the functioning of state-run educational institutions in West Bengal.
Sources By Agencies
