An attack by masked men – allegedly including academics – on protesting students has inflamed tensions on French campuses as the government tries to push through controversial reforms that would introduce elements of selection to French higher education, reports Times Higher Education.
Philippe Pétel, who resigned as dean of Montpellier University’s faculty of law and political science following the incident, had been accused of allowing the men – reportedly armed with wooden planks and tasers – into the building.
Videos of the incident on the night of 22 March have gone viral in France, and show attackers, some in balaclavas, beating students who had occupied a lecture theatre in protest at proposed reforms.
Some protesters believe there were academics from the faculty among the balaclava-wearing assailants, reported Liberation, something Professor Pétel acknowledged as a possibility in an interview after the incident. He did not respond to a request for comment from Times Higher Education, although he has denied being at the lecture theatre.
Two days later, the university announced the resignation of Professor Pétel, although he did not offer any explanation about why in a public statement. The faculty was due to remain closed until 3 April.
A spokeswoman told Times Higher Education that inquiries were still ongoing to establish what happened.
Read more of this report from Times Higher Education.