Kharagpur (West Bengal): Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur held its 72nd convocation on Friday, July 4, awarding 3,936 degrees to graduating students across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes as the institute continued celebrations marking its platinum jubilee.

The degrees include 539 Ph.D., 908 M.Tech., 801 dual degrees, 628 B.Tech. (Honours), 181 four-year B.Sc., 209 two-year M.Sc., 163 MBA, 59 PGDBA, 73 LL.M., 31 LL.B., besides several other postgraduate and specialised programmes.

The convocation, held in the institute’s Platinum Jubilee year marking 75 years since the establishment of India’s first IIT, was expected to be a celebration of its historic legacy and the achievements of its graduating students. Instead, the ceremony drew attention for West Bengal Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay’s sharp political criticism of the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government.

Chattopadhyay accused the state government of presiding over an “institutional collapse” in higher education. “During the past decades, the state witnessed deliberate as well as institutional collapse,” he said.

In a political broadside against the previous West Bengal government, the minister alleged (2:31:07) that educational institutions had suffered from irregularities and violence, claiming that “moral bankruptcy and structural breakdown led to systemic failure” and that “merit had been replaced  with muscle” and “inquiry with intimidation”.

“During the past decades, the state witnessed deliberate as well as institutional collapse. The revelations of obnoxious incidents in academic institutes had shaken the conscience of the society to its core,” Chattopadhyay said, adding, “Moral bankruptcy and structural breakdown led to systemic failure. It was a predictable outcome that replaced merit with muscle and inquiry with intimidation.”

He also claimed that West Bengal’s Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education and the number of colleges per lakh population had become “abysmally low” and that the majority of state universities were functioning in an ill-equipped manner.

West Bengal Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay addressing the convocation.

A political speech as free speech in doubt

The remarks marked a departure from what is generally expected of a convocation address. Such ceremonies traditionally celebrate graduating students, recognise academic achievements and encourage young graduates as they step into professional life. Speakers often reflect on the future of education, scientific research and innovation........

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