CU refuses to reschedule exams on TMCP foundation day
The Statesman | 5 August 2025
Calcutta University has decided to go ahead with undergraduate examinations on 28 August, the same day the Trinamul Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the student wing of the ruling Trinamul Congress party, observes its foundation day. The decision has set off fresh tensions between the University and the West Bengal government.
The University had announced that the fourth semester undergraduate exams for the commerce (B.Com) and law (BA LLB) departments would be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on 28 August. The TMCP leaders strongly objected to the timing, calling it a “political conspiracy directed by Delhi.” Its state president Trinankur Bhattacharya accused the University of acting under political pressure from the central government.
Following TMCP’s protest, the state higher education department issued a formal letter requesting the University to revise the schedule. In response, a syndicate meeting was convened, which ultimately reaffirmed the decision to proceed with the exams as planned. Acting vice-chancellor Shanta Dey has taken a firm stand, alleging political interference in academic matters. “The government and the ruling party are operating in tandem, issuing written directives. This is a mockery of institutional autonomy,” she reportedly said.
University sources revealed that the exam schedule had been approved nearly three months ago by the Board of Studies and was aligned with the academic calendar. “If we start adjusting exam dates for every political party’s student wing, how can we maintain academic discipline?” the vice-chancellor argued during the meeting. She added, “Just as TMCP values its foundation day, so do other student organisations like SFI of the CPI-M, ABVP of the BJP, or SUCI’s student wing. But the University cannot recognise political events in its academic planning.”
She emphasised that public holidays had been taken into account while scheduling exams, but there was no question of altering academic timelines for political events. As of now, TMCP has not officially responded to the university’s final decision. However, the administration’s defiance, despite direct intervention by the state education department, has intensified speculation about a brewing institutional standoff between the University and the state government.