The University of Belgrade, led by Rector Vladan Đokić, has not condemned the attack on students who wanted to study, causing division among students and criticism from the academic community. While Rector Đokić previously condemned attacks on employees at the Faculty of Law, the university’s silence regarding the attack on students is seen as inconsistent and unacceptable. Professors Vladimir Vuletić and Milan Petričković emphasize that the university must consistently respond to violence regardless of the victims, and such divisions harm the academic community. The Rector of the University of Novi Sad, Dr. Dejan Madić, clearly condemned the attack on students, highlighting the importance of freedom of thought and action. This situation reveals deep divisions and political tensions within the academic community in Serbia.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the failure of the University of Belgrade’s leadership to condemn violence against students, highlighting the inconsistency and the political divisions within the academic community. They stress the importance of solidarity among students and criticize the university for creating or allowing divisions that undermine academic freedom and unity.
Center: Center-leaning reports focus on the facts of the incident and the responses from different university officials. They note the silence of the University of Belgrade’s rector as problematic but also highlight the condemnation from the University of Novi Sad. The narrative is balanced, pointing out the need for consistent institutional responses to violence and the impact on the academic environment.
Right: Right-leaning perspectives may downplay the significance of the university’s silence or frame the incident within broader political conflicts, possibly blaming student protesters or opposition groups for the unrest. They might emphasize law and order and criticize the students involved in the protests or blockades, viewing the university’s silence as a cautious or pragmatic approach.
