Calcutta University exams went on smoothly despite protests for postponement; over 90% appeared

KOLKATA: Amid a row over exams scheduled on the foundation day of the TMC's student wing, the tests conducted by the Calcutta University for the BCom, BA, BSc, and Bachelor of Laws went on smoothly on Thursday, a university official said. Over 90 per cent of students appeared for the tests, he said.

The CU did not reschedule the fourth-semester examinations scheduled for Thursday, despite repeated requests by the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) to postpone the tests, arguing that August 28 marks the foundation day of the students' organisation.

The examinations for the B.Com, BA, B.Sc. and Bachelor of Laws papers were held in two halves of the day across 82 colleges in the state, the official said.

"Examinations were held smoothly. We have witnessed the presence of over 90 per cent of the students in today's examinations," the senior official of the Calcutta University told PTI. In total, around 30,000 candidates appeared for Thursday's exams across 82 colleges.

Why did TMCP demand postponement?

The TMCP had urged the university to postpone the exams, arguing that August 28 marks the foundation day of the student body, traditionally observed with large gatherings and processions. The organisation claimed the event would cause major traffic disruptions, inconveniencing thousands of examinees and affecting their ability to focus on an "important day for the organisation."

"The Special Syndicate meeting of CU has already unanimously decided not to postpone the exam scheduled for August 28. What is special about August 28? Is it a national holiday?" CU officiating vice-chancellor Shanta Dutta told reporters here.

"We had already conveyed our decision to the Higher Education Department representative at the last Syndicate meeting. If exams are rescheduled due to the political programme of the TMCP, similar demands could arise from other political groups in the future," she added.

CU held exam for 30,000 students

She said it was the duty of the administration to ensure no candidate faces problems reaching the exam centre on time and return home safely.

"We have already written to Kolkata Police and the state transport department to facilitate safe and timely travel for 30,000 candidates. It is the state’s duty to ensure that students are not inconvenienced," she said.

Countering Dutta, TMCP state president Trinankur Bhattacharya said, "She is acting at the behest of BJP in a partisan manner, not as an impartial administrator." He claimed Dutta deliberately scheduled the exams on TMCP's foundation day despite being fully aware of the significance of the date.