Kolkata universities face unrest amid student group clashes

Political tensions have escalated at educational institutions in Kolkata following recent protests and clashes. At Jadavpur University, a convention organized by Left-backed student groups titled ‘Gen Z Movement: Unity of Generation and Resistance’ sparked controversy. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested the presence of outside political figures and questioned the legality of the event. The university’s officiating Registrar, Debjit Dutta, stated that formal permission for the programme had not been granted through the proper administrative channels.

Simultaneously, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) experienced unrest as members of the Bangiyo Hindu Jagaran Manch marched on the campus. The group broke police barricades and allegedly threw stones in response to previous incidents involving leftist students. This follows a violent confrontation on September 27 that left at least six students injured. Protesters claimed the march was a reaction to students allegedly disrespecting religious imagery and using anti-national slogans during an event organized by an RSS-affiliated group.