The Vice-Chancellor of Visva Bharati University, Bidyut Chakraborty, has penned a strongly-worded missive addressed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in which he fervently appeals for the return of a 3-kilometer road that is flanked by heritage buildings situated within the university's campus. This impassioned plea from the Vice-Chancellor is the latest in a series of entreaties made to the government, beseeching them to reconsider the university's request for the restoration of this historically significant thoroughfare to the institution.
The 3-kilometer road, which connects Post Office More to Sriniketan, was acquired by the state's Public Works Department from the university back in 2020, purportedly to enhance overall connectivity in the region.
In his forthright communication to the Chief Minister, Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty directly addresses Mamata Banerjee and beseeches her to perceive the situation from a different perspective. He expresses his concern that her response thus far seems to reflect a certain indifference to their pleas for the road's return. He queries whether her opinions might be shaped by sycophantic advisers or if she indeed scrutinizes matters with her own eyes.
The university's persistent request for the road's reinstatement is motivated by its fervent desire to safeguard the architectural and historical treasures that line its edges. Notably, this is the third time the university has communicated its request to the government, with prior letters dispatched on the 25th and 30th of September in the current year.
Furthermore, Chakraborty takes the opportunity to remind the Chief Minister that two of her cabinet members and several associates are currently incarcerated. He posits that if the appropriation of public funds is viewed favorably, it may affect the government's capacity to understand the university's concerns. His pointed assertion in the letter emphasizes the ongoing legal issues faced by some of the Chief Minister's senior ministers and aides, including their confinement in Tihar jail in Delhi.
In a reflective tone, Chakraborty underscores the impermanence of individuals in this world, including those in positions of authority. He acknowledges that, just as his tenure as Vice-Chancellor is finite, so too might Chief Minister Banerjee's time in office be contingent upon the outcome of the 2026 elections. He encourages a perspective that treats individuals with a measure of empathy and understanding, acknowledging the cyclical nature of public office.
The university recently encountered controversy surrounding plaques it installed on campus, designating it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Criticism arose due to the omission of the name of Nobel laureate and university founder, Rabindranath Tagore. Chakraborty addresses this issue in the letter, affirming that they are adhering to the instructions of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in rectifying the oversight and that the results of their efforts will soon become evident. This clarification serves to underscore the institution's commitment to honoring its cultural heritage and rectifying any oversights.
