Political Pressure and Media Narratives

The TMCP Exam Scheduling Dispute

by Mahamudul Hasan Gayen

In West Bengal’s politically charged landscape, a recent clash between the Trinamool Congress’s student wing, Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), and Calcutta University (CU) has brought the interplay of politics, academia, and media into sharp focus. The dispute, sparked by CU’s decision to hold undergraduate exams on August 28, 2025, coinciding with TMCP’s foundation day rally, reveals how political groups leverage media to craft narratives while academic institutions use similar platforms to defend their autonomy. This conflict, marked by accusations of political conspiracies and institutional defiance, underscores the media’s critical role in shaping public perception and mediating competing agendas in a polarized environment.

            The controversy began when CU scheduled its B.Com and BA LLB Semester 4 exams on August 28, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., overlapping with TMCP’s foundation day celebrations in Kolkata, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was set to address student leaders. TMCP, led by state president Trinankur Bhattacharjee, quickly branded the scheduling as a “political ploy” orchestrated by the central government to disrupt their event and suppress their supporters’ democratic rights. Bhattacharjee’s social media posts, amplified by outlets like The Statesman, demanded that CU reschedule the exams, citing inconvenience to thousands of students due to anticipated traffic disruptions during the rally.

            The West Bengal government escalated the issue by issuing a formal letter from the higher education department, signed by a senior special secretary, requesting CU to postpone the exams “in the interest of a large section of candidates.” This intervention was unprecedented, prompting accusations of political overreach. TMCP intensified its protests, culminating in a gherao of interim Vice-Chancellor Shanta Datta’s office on July 28, 2025, as members pressed for a change in the exam schedule.

            In response, Vice-Chancellor Datta stood resolute, asserting that the exam dates, set three months earlier by the Board of Studies, adhered to the academic calendar, which only accounts for official public holidays, not political events. Speaking at an emergency syndicate meeting, Datta dismissed TMCP’s allegations as “baseless and illogical,” arguing that accommodating one organization’s events would set a dangerous precedent for others, such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) or Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). “If we start adjusting exam dates for every political party’s student wing, how can we maintain academic discipline?” she questioned. Datta also criticized the state government’s involvement, stating, “The government should always be neutral … If the government and the party mix, it becomes a big problem for others to perform their duties.”

            TMCP’s response exemplifies how political entities harness media to shape narratives and rally support. By framing the exam scheduling as a “deep conspiracy” driven “at the behest of Delhi,” TMCP tapped into West Bengal’s regional sentiment of resistance to perceived central government interference. Bhattacharjee’s emotionally charged posts, covered by outlets like Social News XYZ and NewKerala.com, portrayed CU’s decision as an attack on students’ democratic rights and Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. This rhetoric aimed to mobilize TMCP’s student base while pressuring CU through public opinion.

            TMCP also broadened its appeal by highlighting practical concerns, such as traffic disruptions, claiming that “all ordinary students” would be affected, not just their supporters. This strategic framing, reported by ProKerala.com, positioned TMCP as a defender of the broader student community, amplifying its influence. Such tactics are consistent with TMCP’s historical media strategies. For example, in 2015, TMCP’s landslide victory in CU’s student union elections was celebrated in the media, with leaders like Ashok Rudra emphasizing overwhelming student support while downplaying allegations of intimidation raised by SFI. Similarly, in 2022, Bhattacharjee used social media to condemn an alleged attack on a TMCP leader at Jadavpur University, framing it as part of SFI’s “bullying” to reinforce TMCP’s image as a resilient, victimized force.

            CU, under Datta’s leadership, countered TMCP’s narrative by leveraging media to assert its institutional autonomy. Datta’s statements, reported by The Indian Express and Times of India, emphasized that only a “small percentage” of the 30,000 students scheduled for the exams would attend the TMCP rally, undermining claims of widespread impact. By highlighting the meticulous three-month planning process and the irrelevance of political events to academic scheduling, Datta framed CU as a neutral institution caught in a political crossfire. Her stance was amplified by outlets like The Week and Bhaskar English, which portrayed her as a guardian of academic integrity.

            Social media, particularly X, further bolstered CU’s position. Posts from accounts like @BANGLARMAATI praised Datta’s “courage” in defying the state government and Mamata Banerjee, sparking broader discussions about the politicization of education. Opposition groups like SFI and ABVP capitalized on the controversy, with SFI’s Debanjan Dey accusing TMCP of treating universities as “their personal property,” a quote widely circulated by The Hindu. This media support strengthened CU’s narrative of academic independence while exposing the political pressures it faced.

            The media’s role in this dispute is both pivotal and complex. Outlets like The Indian Express and The Hindu offered balanced coverage, presenting TMCP’s allegations alongside Datta’s rebuttals and opposition critiques, enabling readers to evaluate competing claims. However, sensationalist headlines, such as “TMCP Sees Conspiracy in Exam Schedule Clash” (The Statesman), amplified the political drama, potentially overshadowing the substantive issue of academic autonomy. On X, posts from accounts like @BJP4Bengal framed the dispute as evidence of TMC’s broader politicization of education, while TMCP supporters reinforced the “Delhi conspiracy” narrative, deepening polarization.

            This dynamic highlights the media’s dual role as a mediator of truth and an amplifier of partisan rhetoric. For TMCP, media coverage was a tool to pressure CU and rally its base; for CU, it was a shield to protect its autonomy and expose political overreach. Yet, the focus on conflict-driven narratives sometimes obscured deeper systemic issues, such as the influence of political figures in college governing bodies, as noted in The Indian Express’s reports on TMC’s grip over West Bengal’s colleges.

            The TMCP-CU dispute reflects a recurring pattern in West Bengal, where political student wings wield significant influence over academia. TMCP’s dominance, evident in its 2017 sweep of 750 out of 840 seats in CU’s student union elections, has long been criticized for stifling democratic processes. Allegations of intimidation and control over admissions and examinations, raised by SFI and ABVP, gained traction amid incidents like the 2024 suspension of TMCP leaders for insensitive actions in the RG Kar case.

            For CU, the dispute underscores the challenge of maintaining autonomy in a politically charged environment. Datta’s appointment by Governor C.V. Ananda Bose in 2023, following controversies over her predecessor, placed her in a contentious position. Her refusal to reschedule exams signals a push to insulate CU from political pressures but risks escalating tensions with the state government, which has historically influenced higher education.

            The media’s role remains critical yet fraught. By amplifying both TMCP’s allegations and CU’s defense, it fosters public debate but risks entrenching partisan divides. The challenge lies in moving beyond sensationalism to address systemic issues, such as the need for clear boundaries between politics and academia. As West Bengal approaches its 2026 elections, such disputes will likely intensify, with the media serving as both a battleground and a mirror for the state’s political fault lines.

            The TMCP-CU exam scheduling dispute encapsulates the struggle between political influence and academic autonomy in West Bengal. TMCP’s media-savvy campaign to frame the issue as a conspiracy reflects a strategic use of narrative to mobilize support, while CU’s media-backed defense underscores the importance of institutional independence. The media, caught between mediating truth and amplifying conflict, shapes public trust in both political and educational institutions. As this saga unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for mechanisms to protect academia from political overreach, ensuring education remains a space for learning, not leverage.

References

1. The Statesman. (2025). "TMCP Sees Conspiracy in Exam Schedule Clash." Retrieved from [The Statesman website].

2. The Indian Express. (2025). "Calcutta University VC Defies State’s Exam Postponement Request." Retrieved from [The Indian Express website].

3. The Hindu. (2025). "CU Stands Firm on Exam Schedule Amid TMCP Protests." Retrieved from [The Hindu website].

4. Times of India. (2025). "Calcutta University Rejects TMCP’s Demand to Reschedule Exams." Retrieved from [Times of India website].

5. The Week. (2025). "VC Shanta Dutta Lauded for Upholding Academic Autonomy." Retrieved from [The Week website].

6. Bhaskar English. (2025). "Calcutta University’s Defiance Against Political Pressure." Retrieved from [Bhaskar English website].

7. Social News XYZ. (2025). "TMCP Alleges Political Ploy in CU Exam Scheduling." Retrieved from [Social News XYZ website].

8. NewKerala.com. (2025). "TMCP Protests Calcutta University’s Exam Dates." Retrieved from [NewKerala.com].

9. ProKerala.com. (2025). "TMCP Claims Exam Schedule Disrupts Students’ Rights." Retrieved from [ProKerala.com].

10. X Post by @BANGLARMAATI. (2025). "Praising VC Shanta Dutta’s Courage." Retrieved from [X Platform].

11. X Post by @BJP4Bengal. (2025). "TMC’s Politicization of Education." Retrieved from [X Platform].

12. The Indian Express. (2023). "TMC’s Influence on West Bengal’s College Governing Bodies." Retrieved from [The Indian Express website].