Clash at Kolkata’s SRFTI over RSS-linked outfit’s event, several students injured - The Indian Express

Clashes erupted at Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) on Sunday late afternoon after a group of students objected to a right-wing group’s event on the campus, leaving several people injured.

Tensions continued till late at night as police cordoned off the campus. Earlier, a large number of police personnel were deployed as the students locked the gate of the campus with a protesting mob outside.

Named after Satyajit Ray, the SRFTI is the second national centre for cinema education in India. It was established in 1995 by the Government of India.

The students’ union of the SRFTI said that when they objected to the programme organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), an RSS-linked outfit, at the main theatre on the campus, they were assaulted and called “anti-nationals”, urban naxals and terrorists, leading to a scuffle.

“Members of the ABGP attacked students, including women students, punched and kicked them, and pelted stones and bricks at them. Students were chased through the campus, including students who were not part of the protest and were simply carrying out their academic work. Several students took shelter inside the library. The group followed them there, and the librarian was also assaulted. The library was surrounded, leaving students and staff in a situation of fear inside their own institute,” the students’ union said in a statement.

The students alleged that a mob from outside tried to barge into the campus and pelted stones and bottles inside. Students were seen carrying pictures of BR Ambedkar as they locked the campus gates.

“We had just gone to tell them to remove the banners, but they abused us, called us jehadis, Naxals, Maoists and terrorists. They assaulted us. Around 15 of us have been injured,” said a student at SRFTI.

According to official sources, the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat had booked the auditorium on the campus for an “awareness” programme. They had put up posters and banners in the auditorium. But it has been alleged that the ABGP had installed banners and festoons around the campus, leading to the scuffle.

“It began as a verbal spat after a group of students from the college objected to the banners, and it has been alleged that the students tore the banners,” said an official.

Basudeb Paul, a member of AGBP, said, “We were holding the programme when the students came and started to tear the banners and festoons. They stepped on the posters of Bharat Mata and Swami Vivekananda. We told them to stop tearing the banners. They abused our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Chief Minister (Suvendu Adhikari), and started shouting slogans against the BJP. This was completely pre-planned. These people want to turn SRFTI into another Jadavpur.”

After the police entered, they held talks with the students and also allowed the organisers to leave the campus.

Meanwhile, several local BJP leaders reached the institute and held protests outside, demanding the arrest of students. The crowd outside the campus gate also stopped the ambulance, carrying the injured students, from leaving. The police had to intervene to allow the ambulance to leave for the hospital.

Debanjan Dey, the state secretary of the Left-backed SFI, said, “The way RSS attacked the JU, in the same manner they are attacking SRFTI now. No one knows how the RSS-backed outfit got permission to hold the event on Sunday. This is a systematic terror. Each and every free-thinking institution is being attacked.”

Speaking to mediapersons, BJP MP Rahul Sinha said, “By creating such a chaos they are trying to bring a bad name to West Bengal. Such acts will not be tolerated in any educational institution. Even in Jadavpur University (JU), they tried to create unrest.”

Debjit Sarkar, BJP chief spokesperson posted on social media, “This is exactly what happened today at Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute. A hall was booked by nationalist organisations for a programme. A group of Urban and Dimagi Naxals then stormed the venue, raised “Go back RSS” slogans, tore down posters and, as the video shows, tore apart and kicked posters bearing images of Bharat Mata and Swami Vivekananda. And yet, these naxals are now trying to play the victim. This has become a familiar pattern: create disruption, insult symbols revered by Bharatiyas, and then portray oneself as the victim when questioned about it. What is equally disturbing is the attempt by sections of the so-called liberal and intellectual establishment to indirectly justify or overlook such behaviour. The people of Bengal and India deserve to see this for what it is. How much longer will such open disrespect for Bharat Mata and Swami Vivekananda be tolerated?”

RSS students’ outfit, the ABVP, however, distanced itself from the incident. “The ABVP is not associated with this matter. Whatever has happened there, the police will investigate,” said ABVP state in-charge Ananta Barui.

ABGP in its website stated that it was founded by RSS functionary Bindu Madhav Joshi in late 1970s. “Joshi, along with other eminent personalities like Sudhir Phadke, P L Deshpande, Prof.Dandekar, G V Behere, and other activists joined together to create “Yuvak Mahamandal Janata Grahak Sangh”. The formal inauguration of ABGP was done on 23rd Dec 1975, at the hands of then Justice M.C.Chagla,” the website says.

Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage. Experience  Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness. Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances. Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including: State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies. Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues. Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More