The ongoing conflict between Amartya Sen and the Visva-Bharati University (Shantiniketan) over the ownership of 13 decibels of land on Monday blew into a full-fledged political battle between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP with Bengal Chief Minister Mamata expressing solidarity with him before handing him over the “original land records” claiming the disputed land actually belonged to the Sens and not the University.

“The people of Bengal are upset about the way some people have attacked and offended … you are an open minded person with outstanding merit and abilities who has done not only Bengal but the entire country and the world proud by your contribution … I am really very hurt at the way they have cast aspersions at you … But please remain assured that you are not alone.

“We all are with you and will be by your side,” Mamata who on Monday noon visited Sen at his residence “Pratichi” in Bolpur Shantiniketan some 100 miles from Kolkata told him.

A dirty war of words had ensued between the two sides with Visva-Bharati Vice-Chancellor Vidyut Chakrabarty earlier alleging that the Nobel Laureate economist had usurped 13 decibels of land from the central University.

In the course of his allegations the Vice Chancellor —who has often been criticised by the TMC and the Left students unions for trying to safronise the campus — also told a gathering of students that Sen had actually not a Nobel Laureate because Economics never came within the realm of Nobel Prize and that the Prize that he flaunted was actually given to him in memory of Alfred Nobel.

Sen had refused to enter into that controversy saying “he may have better information about the matter.” In its two successive notices the University asked Sen “to return the 13 decibel land to the University.” The economist however told the media that he did not want to rush to the court and that his lawyers had already sent the University, appropriate reply to the letters thus sent to him.

The Chief Minister handed over the original land records to Sen before telling the media persons that she “had been keeping silent all these days because I did not want to comment without evidence in my hand … now I have collected all the records from the land department … they show that the Government had in fact leased them 1.38 acres of land and not 1.25 acres as claimed by the University … I have asked the District Magistrate to authenticate the records that I handed over to Amartya da … now let me see how they react.” Banerjee also said that she did not immediately want to disclose the legal steps that his government was likely to take regarding the matter.

Banerjee’s pro-Sen stand tends to follow his support of her prime ministerial candidature, experts said. Early this month speaking to the media persons, Sen had said that Banerjee had the capabilities to become the Prime Minister though it would be difficult for her to take the large number of political parties along with her.

On the alleged attempt to saffronise the campus Banerjee said that the Vice Chancellor should concentrate on preserving Rabindranath Tagore’s heritage and promote his values.

“Though I do not want to name anyone I have no doubt that some people are using their top positions to bring the University founded by Tagore to disrepute by trying to saffronise the campus … by suspending the students … and by humiliating reputed men … I think the authorities should desist from doing this,” Banerjee said. Earlier, reacting to the controversy, State BJP leadership had said that a man of Sen’s status should desist from usurping lands.

“He has earned so much and yet he cannot keep himself from illegally taking a few decibels of land … if he has taken it he should return it to save his own honour and if not he should produce his records,” BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh said.

Sen had earlier claimed that most of the lands had been purchased by his father on market price and some of the lands were leased to the

family. Asutosh Sen who was a professor of Chemistry in Dhaka University, a Development Commissioner in Delhi and a Chairman of West Bengal Public Service Commission. Asutosh was close to Tagore and as a child Amartya Sen had received the blessings of the Poet Laureate.