A Kolkata court remanded Hindol Majumdar, a former BTech student of Jadavpur University, to police custody till August 18 in connection with the alleged heckling of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu earlier this year.
Majumdar, currently pursuing research at a Spanish university, was arrested upon arrival at Delhi airport from Spain following a look out circular issued against him. Kolkata Police later brought him to the city on transit remand and produced him before the Alipore court, which rejected his bail plea.
Allegations Against Majumdar
According to police, Majumdar was one of the alleged “masterminds” behind the March 1 attack on Basu’s car at the Jadavpur University campus. The incident occurred when the minister was leaving after attending a meeting of the Trinamool Congress-backed professors’ body, West Bengal College and University Professors’ Association (WBCUPA).
Police claimed that Majumdar played a central role in mobilising the protest, which escalated into heckling and vandalism of the minister’s car.
Minister’s Allegations
Education Minister Bratya Basu alleged that he was physically heckled during the protest and that his car was vandalised by the demonstrators. The incident sparked political tension as videos of the protest circulated widely on social media.
On the other hand, the agitating students—mostly from Left-wing outfits—dismissed the allegations. They claimed the protest was peaceful and focused solely on pressing for the long-delayed students’ union elections at Jadavpur University.
Some students further alleged that members of Basu’s convoy injured them during the confrontation. According to their version, a vehicle in the minister’s convoy ran over their feet, leaving several protesters hurt.
Court Proceedings Ahead
The magistrate, after hearing both sides, refused bail and granted police custody till August 18 for further investigation. During this period, investigators are expected to question Majumdar regarding his alleged role in planning and leading the protest.
The case has reignited debates over campus politics in West Bengal, with both the government and student groups trading allegations.
The upcoming hearings are likely to determine whether Majumdar’s involvement was that of a protester exercising democratic rights, or a key conspirator in what authorities describe as a coordinated attack on a state minister.
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