Controversy erupted over the labeling of revolutionaries as "terrorists" in a history paper at Vidyasagar University. The BJP attacked the Mamata government. The university cited a typing mistake and ordered an inquiry. The matter has heated up both politically and academically.
West Bengal: Another controversy has emerged from the education sector in West Bengal, stirring up the state's politics. A question in the history honors sixth-semester exam paper at Vidyasagar University has raised serious questions about the portrayal of freedom fighters. The use of the term "terrorist" to describe revolutionaries who fought against British rule has sparked b reactions in political circles.
A Question that Has Put History in the Dock
In the history honors sixth-semester exam paper at Vidyasagar University, students were asked, "Name the three district magistrates of Midnapur who were killed by terrorists?" The manner in which freedom fighters were termed "terrorists" in this question has ignited a political storm. The individuals referred to as "terrorists" in the paper were brave warriors of the freedom struggle who targeted British officials – Burg (1933), Peddy (1931), and Douglas (1932).
Shuvendu Adhikari's Attack on the Mamata Government
Shuvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee government over the entire matter. He said, "This is not just a typing mistake, but a deliberate ideological conspiracy. Calling brave revolutionaries terrorists is an insult not only to them but to the entire nation. It is an insult to the lakhs of sacrifices made to achieve India's freedom." Adhikari also alleged that a similar controversial question was asked in the university in 2023, but no strict action was taken at that time either.
University Administration's Clarification
In view of the growing controversy, the Registrar of Vidyasagar University, JK Nandi, issued an official statement, terming the question a "typing mistake." He said that the word was used by mistake in the question paper and that the university takes responsibility for it.
The Registrar apologized and said, "We have called an emergency meeting, considering the seriousness of the matter. An explanation has been sought from the professor who prepared the question. The Vice-Chancellor has constituted an inquiry committee and has asked it to submit a report within a week. Such mistakes will not be repeated in the future."
Protests by Student Organizations
Protests have also erupted on the university campus over the question. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Rashtriya Chhatra Sangathan, and several local organizations are demonstrating outside the university. Student organizations have demanded that not only the teacher who set the question be suspended, but also that strict action be taken against the examination board.
Opposition Demands Action, Trinamool Defends
BJP leaders have warned of raising the issue in the assembly. Meanwhile, spokespersons of the Trinamool Congress have said that it is purely an academic error and that it is not right to give it a political color. The party says that necessary action will be taken against those responsible after the investigation. However, the opposition says that this is not an "academic error" but a result of a planned mindset. They are questioning how the examination board of a university can make such a big mistake and how it can be a typing mistake when the question is prepared in advance and reviewed at several levels.
Tampering with History or Administrative Lapse?
This question once again raises questions about the responsibility of the education system and academic institutions. If it was merely a typing mistake, the question is how this mistake was missed despite the paper being reviewed at so many levels? Is this just a coincidence or an attempt to distort historical facts?
