Presidency University students protest against romance restrictions

Love affairs among students at Kolkata's Presidency University sparke controversy, with protests against the administration's restrictions when parents of the involved students are being summoned.

Left-wing student organization SFI submitted a memorandum to the university administration, urging them to cease such actions. Students gathered to protest at College Street intersection while the intellectual society of Bengal questioned the administration's behavior.

The student union alleged that police interrogation is causing discomfort to couples resulting in issuance of reports and fatwas. Presidency University angrily demanded freedom of thought to prevail on the campus. TMC student union vice president Tanmoy Chakraborty says, "Presidency should uphold independent thinking, whether it is about love, education, or politics."

He emphasized that love, education, and politics should always be based on independent thinking. Presidency represents that independent thinking, but it is desirable for students to ensure that freedom of thought does not transform into arbitrariness. Similarly, it is the responsibility of the authorities to prevent a decrease in freedom.

SFI state secretary Srijan Bhattacharya reacted strongly to the incident. He said, "This entire issue is actually a conspiracy. Students come to the campus and make friends here." He said that students learn to question the system and the institution at Presidency. So you cannot go around holding their hands; that is like issuing a fatwa. However, the Presidency authorities have already dismissed all allegations.

University dean Arun Kumar Maity says, "Our intention is not to police. We had organized a counseling session with some students and their parents. Some private moments were spent here."Meanwhile, educationist Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri has strongly criticized the incident. He claims that at institutions like Presidency, the door of love can never be closed. No one can impose restrictions on the freedom of students.

It should be noted that a few days ago, four TMCP leaders were "punished." Two TMCP leaders were suspended for the ongoing session, and entry to the hostels of four TMCP leaders was restricted.Whereas, earlier, allegations were made against Trinamool Chhatra Parishad for attacking residents of the Hindu hostel at Presidency University in collaboration with external individuals. In response, several members of leftist student organizations blocked College Street. In retaliation, TMCP accused them of attacking them.