Slugfest between BJP, CPI(M) continues over Babul Supriyo heckling

Ex-MP Mohammed Salim alleged incident showed the understanding between Modi, Mamata

Union Minister of State Babul Supriyo heckled by left wing students at Jadavpur University in Kolkata | PTI Union Minister of State Babul Supriyo heckled by left wing students at Jadavpur University in Kolkata | PTI

Leaders of the BJP and CPI(M) continued to level accusations against each other's parties, hours after Union Minister Babul Supriyo was heckled by activists of the Students Federation of India following an event at Jadavpur University on Thursday evening.

Dr Sujan Chakraborty, who had represented Jadavpur in the Lok Sabha, tweeted that Supriyo's conduct at Jadavpur University was “uncivilised” and alleged the BJP leader had “provoked” the incident. Chakraborty tweeted, “Audacity of @SuPriyoBabul is evident. Uncivilized. Know not how to behave in #JU Campus & talk to it’s VC. Trapped & Provoked the situation. Instrumental to ransom the university by @BJP4India. Worst ever. A party for decay, destruction & degeneration. No mercy.”

Another senior CPI(M) leader and former MP, Mohammed Salim, tweeted a video showing purported activists of the ABVP attempting to barge inside the gates of Jadavpur University. The Times of India reported nearly 200 activists of the ABVP barged inside the gates, ransacked the arts union's room and set fire to bicycles on Thursday evening. The ABVP activists dispersed only after Supriyo left the Jadavpur University campus.

Salim alleged the state police, which comes under the control of the Trinamool Congress government, stood as “mute spectators” and claimed this was evidence of the “extent of understanding” between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Responding to Sujan's comments, Supriyo described the allegations as “nauseating” and declared “there is a reason why you guys [CPI(M)] have been rejected & on the verge of extinction”.

A number of BJP leaders condemned the heckling of Supriyo. Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat tweeted, “The abuse done is very reprehensible. This is a result of the leftist ideology of the Left and TMC in educational institutions. Violence in the country's educational institute with a Union minister is objectionable.”

Meanwhile, students groups have announced plans for protests on Friday against the ABVP in Jadavpur University and Kolkata's Presidency College, as well as Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi.