CM Suvendu Adhikari Targets Left, JU 'Anti-Nationals' as Bengal Assembly Passes Bill to Transfer University Staff

Bengal Assembly Passes University Staff Transfer Bill

The West Bengal Assembly on Thursday passed the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, empowering the state government to transfer teaching and non-teaching employees from one state university to another.

The Bill, which was approved by the state Cabinet on September 8, seeks to add a provision to Section 14A of the existing 2017 Act. The provision would allow inter-university transfers of employees whenever required.

The legislation was introduced by Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay during a one-day special session of the Assembly.

Suvendu Adhikari Defends the New Law

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the legislation as an important and necessary step and said its passage would be historic.

Defending the government's position, Adhikari argued that experienced professors could be moved to newly established universities and help strengthen their academic and administrative infrastructure.

He specifically referred to universities in places such as Jhargram and Cooch Behar, saying experienced teachers could guide them on infrastructure, classroom practices and the development of institutions as centres of excellence.

Adhikari also said the legislation would seek to balance institutional autonomy with accountability to the government.

CM Takes Aim at Left Parties

During his Assembly speech, Adhikari launched a strong political attack on the CPI(M) and other Left parties.

He said those unhappy with transfer orders could leave their jobs and become full-time party workers. He also took a swipe at the CPI(M)'s newspaper Ganashakti, using the reference while criticising the opposition to the legislation.

The Chief Minister also criticised the Left's use of the term “Sharodotsav” and urged Puja committees to use “Durga Puja” instead.

His comments turned the Assembly debate into a broader political confrontation over ideology, culture and the role of the Left in Bengal.

Suvendu Adhikari Targets Jadavpur University

Adhikari also renewed his criticism of sections of Jadavpur University, which has recently been at the centre of a political controversy over slogans, graffiti and clashes involving student groups.

During his Assembly speech, he argued that experienced academics from stronger institutions could be sent to universities that need greater academic support.

He cited institutions in districts such as Jhargram and Cooch Behar as examples and described the proposed movement of human resources as a way to strengthen weaker universities.

The Chief Minister also referred to the history of Jadavpur University and raised the issue of the 1970 killing of former university vice-chancellor Gopal Sen, saying a panel could investigate the incident if required.

'Anti-National' Debate Surrounds Jadavpur University

The latest remarks come against the backdrop of Adhikari's earlier criticism of what he described as “anti-national” elements at Jadavpur University.

He has previously objected to slogans and graffiti including references to “Free Palestine” and “Azadi” and accused sections of the campus of harbouring anti-national elements.

However, former Jadavpur University faculty members have rejected such characterisations. Some have highlighted the university's historical links with the nationalist education movement and argued that political questioning and dissent are part of university life.

The dispute has therefore developed into a larger debate over nationalism, academic freedom and political expression on university campuses.

Opposition Raises Concerns Over University Autonomy

The staff-transfer Bill has also faced opposition from teachers' organisations and academics.

Critics have expressed concern that allowing the government greater control over transfers could weaken university autonomy and create possibilities for selective targeting of teachers.

CPI(M) MLA Mustafizur Rahman argued during the Assembly debate that the legislation could affect institutional autonomy.

The government, however, has maintained that the proposed system is intended to improve academic resources and help newer universities develop their infrastructure and educational standards.

Government Says Experienced Teachers Will Strengthen New Universities

According to the state government's argument, the new provision is designed to address differences in academic resources among universities.

Adhikari said experienced professors could contribute to newly established institutions by helping them develop infrastructure, improve teaching practices and establish themselves as centres of excellence.

The government believes that an exchange of human resources could provide newer universities with access to experienced academic expertise without requiring the creation of entirely new structures.

Bill Adds Another Dimension to Bengal's Education Politics

The passage of the Bill comes at a politically sensitive time for West Bengal's education sector.

The BJP government has repeatedly promised changes to the state's education system, while also attacking the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments over alleged mismanagement and recruitment-related controversies.

The new legislation could therefore become an important test of the government's approach to university administration, particularly in institutions with strong traditions of autonomy and student politics.

Political Battle Extends Beyond the Assembly

Adhikari's remarks show that the debate over the university-transfer legislation is not limited to administrative policy.

The Chief Minister used the Assembly platform to criticise the Left's political influence, attack sections of Jadavpur University and defend the government's broader approach to education and nationalism.

For the opposition and sections of academia, however, the central question remains whether greater government control over university staff transfers could affect institutional independence.

Conclusion

The West Bengal Assembly's passage of the Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 marks a significant change in the framework governing university employees. The legislation allows teaching and non-teaching staff to be transferred between state universities when required.

While Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has defended the move as a way to send experienced teachers to newer institutions and improve their academic standards, teachers' groups and opposition leaders have raised concerns over university autonomy and the possibility of selective targeting.

Adhikari's sharp criticism of the Left and his renewed focus on Jadavpur University have added a strong political dimension to the legislation, ensuring that the debate over university governance in Bengal is likely to continue.