Bengal varsity faces backlash over ‘terrorist’ reference to freedom fighters in exam paper
Kolkata, Jul 11 (PTI): A controversy erupted in West Bengal after a history question paper at the state-run Vidyasagar University described Indian revolutionaries as "terrorists," triggering strong political reactions and forcing the institute to issue a public apology, calling it a "printing mistake."
Reacting to it, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew, Chandra Kumar Bose, told PTI Videos, "To call revolutionaries — who laid down their lives for the country’s freedom — as terrorists is an act of sacrilege," and demanded strict action against those responsible for preparing the question paper.
The contentious reference appeared in question 12 of the sixth semester BA Honours history exam (in Bengali), which asked students to name three district magistrates of Midnapore "killed by terrorists" during British rule. The university later acknowledged the error, attributing it to a proofreading lapse.
"It was a printing mistake that went unnoticed during proofreading," Vice Chancellor Dipak Kar said on Friday.
"Once the paper was circulated, there was no time to make corrections. I have asked the controller of examinations to submit a detailed report," he added.
The three slain magistrates referred were James Peddie, Robert Douglas and Bernard Berge, who were gunned down in a span of three years for their tyranny in then Midnapore district.
Bose said, "Distortion of history of our freedom struggle has been happening for a long time. But to call Khudiram Bose and other revolutionaries, who sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom, as terrorists cannot be accepted."
He added that stringent action must be taken against the faculty and people who were in charge of drafting the question paper.
"History must be told in the right perspective and the younger generation must be made aware about the right picture of our freedom struggle. They should know the heroic battle of INA and the leadership of Netaji," Bose commented in this context.
Academic Pabitra Sarkar condemned the error, saying, "It is unthinkable in independent India to refer to youths who fought British oppression as 'terrorists", a term used by the colonial rulers."
Leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari in a post on X described the terrorist reference as "absolutely outrageous."
"The administrative authorities of Vidyasagar University have once again insulted our revered freedom fighters by labeling the brave revolutionaries of Medinipur as 'militants' and 'terrorists' in the 2025 History Honours sixth semester question paper," he said.
"This is not an isolated mistake but a deliberate distortion of our history, repeating the same disgraceful error from 2023 under the watch of Dr. Nirmal Kumar Mahato, Head of the History Department and a known TMC affiliate in WBCUPA (West Bengal College and University Professors Association); TMC's political organisation comprising professors," Adhikari added.
"Shockingly, no action has been taken against Dr. Mahato despite his repeated oversight failures. Worse still, his stature has risen, he was promoted to Joint Secretary of WBCUPA after the 2023 blunder. For the unversed; the tyrannical British District Magistrates; Burge (1933), Peddie (1931), and Douglas (1932) were targeted by Indian freedom fighters. Peddie was killed by Bimal Dasgupta and Jyotijiban Ghosh," the BJP leader posted.
The BJP leader questioned whether the elevation of Mahato an endorsement of TMC's belief that "our freedom fighters were militants and terrorists."
"The Vice Chancellor's refusal to act only deepens the suspicion of political protectionism. This is a blow to every Indian who honours our Independence struggle. I demand immediate accountability, the removal of Dr. Mahato, and a thorough investigation into this institutional failure. Will TMC clarify if they stand by this shameful narrative?," he said.
Mahato could not be contacted for his comments, while university sources described Adhikari's remarks as "unfortunate."
TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh distanced the party from the controversy, saying, "The questions were set by a few persons, not the education department. It needs to be investigated who approved the question paper."
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty and Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also condemned the terminology, calling it "unthinkable and unimaginable in independent India" and held the TMC government accountable for allowing such a lapse under its watch.
Causing further embarrassment to the varsity, the BA Honours Political Science exam was cancelled on Friday after it was discovered that the question paper was "out of syllabus." University authorities said fresh tests would be conducted next week.
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UP min tells flood victims ‘Ganga is touching your feet’; Woman replies, ‘Stay and take blessings’
Lucknow: Amid ongoing flood-like conditions and severe waterlogging in parts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly along the Ganga River, state Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad has drawn criticism for controversial remarks made during a visit to Kanpur Dehat.
In a video that surfaced on social media, Nishad is purportedly heard telling flood-affected villagers that they are “Ganga’s children” and thus, the “Ganga river reaches your doorstep to clean your feet and this would take you directly to heaven,” as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
Nishad, assigned to oversee relief work in the district, made the comments as residents tried to voice concerns over the flooding and lack of adequate relief.
Also, a woman travelling along with the government team is purportedly heard trying to clarify the minister’s remarks to an elderly woman, who in turn asks her to stay there with them and “take the blessings of Ganga yourself.”
The minister’s remarks triggered widespread criticism online, with many calling them insensitive amid the ongoing crisis. Defending his statement, Nishad stated that he was only trying to offer emotional support. “Flooding is a natural calamity, and the government is doing everything it can to help people. We are giving food packets, cooked food as well, but one needs to highlight positive thoughts to them also, and that is what I did. We cannot stop water, and this is not a one-day or one-year problem,” TIE quoted Nishad as saying.
He added that instilling hope is essential, or else “the opposition will spread negativity.”
Incessant rainfall in Uttar Pradesh has led to floods in thirteen districts of the state. The Ganga River is reportedly flowing above the danger mark in Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, and Ballia. Similarly, the Yamuna has crossed the red mark in Auraiya, Kalpi, Hamirpur, Prayagraj, and Banda.
