SFI counters CM's allegations, asserts patriotism

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) unit at Jadavpur University (JU) has pushed back against West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's allegations of anti-national activities on campus, asserting that students' love for the country cannot be questioned. The response came through an open letter to the Chief Minister, as reported by ThePrint and The Hindu — World.

The clash of narratives follows Adhikari's remarks on Saturday, August 22, 2026, where he alleged the presence of a "tukde-tukde" gang and the "raising of pro-azaadi slogans" on the campus. Speaking to Annapurna Bhandar beneficiaries in his Bhabanipur constituency, the Chief Minister further claimed that Vande Mataram is not sung, the national flag is not hoisted, Education Department officials are prevented from entering, and CCTV cameras are not allowed to be installed, as reported by ThePrint and The Hindu — World.

Adhikari asserted that his government would promote nationalism on the JU campus and beyond, stating that anyone wishing to reside in West Bengal would have to sing the national song. This came amid recent clashes between Left students and RSS-affiliated ABVP workers on the campus, as noted in reports from ThePrint and The Hindu — World.

In the open letter, the SFI's JU unit strongly opposed the Chief Minister's mindset, suggesting that his claim about the national flag not being hoisted appeared to be based on wrong information. The letter also challenged the CCTV claim, stating that the incidents of August 19 night, when outsiders entered the campus, vandalised it and set fires, were captured on CCTV cameras. The SFI asked whether the Chief Minister still wished to claim that all of this was false, as reported by ThePrint and The Hindu — World.

The SFI acknowledged ideological differences with the Chief Minister and the BJP but asserted that when it comes to love for the country, there is no disagreement. "Nobody can question our love for the country," the organisation said, as quoted in reports from ThePrint and The Hindu — World.

Graffiti controversy and inquiry

The exchange between the SFI and the Chief Minister is part of a broader controversy involving objectionable wall graffiti at the university. On Monday, August 24, Adhikari asked JU authorities to conduct an inquiry into "objectionable and anti-national" wall graffiti and drawings inside the hostel premises, as reported by Lokmat Times and The Indian Express.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister shared a video of the graffiti and asserted that campus premises must not be used as platforms for spreading propaganda and anti-India sentiment. He stated that the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had received concerning videos and photographic representations through the CM's Grievance Cell from students reporting "objectionable, sociopathic, violent and anti-national" wall graffiti inside the Arts Division Boys Hostel premises, according to Lokmat Times.

Adhikari urged the Vice-Chancellor, the Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department, and other authorities to initiate an immediate inquiry with on-ground verification of the hostel area and to identify those responsible. He reiterated the West Bengal government's "Zero Tolerance Policy" towards anti-national activities, especially in educational institutions, as reported by Lokmat Times and The Indian Express.

Campus clashes and aftermath

The graffiti controversy and the ensuing political exchange are set against a backdrop of violent clashes at the university. On August 19 and 20, clashes broke out between SFI and ABVP activists outside the JU campus in south Kolkata, as reported by Lokmat Times and The Indian Express. The first confrontation reportedly took place at the 8B Bus Stand crossing between SFI activists and security personnel, and the second occurred in front of the main gate between SFI and ABVP activists, as detailed in Lokmat Times.

During the second clash, the engraved emblem of Jadavpur University, designed by renowned artist Nandalal Bose, was damaged. The emblem was later repaired and reinstalled at gate number four on August 21, according to Lokmat Times and The Hindu — World.

In the wake of the clashes, university authorities filed a police complaint on August 21, leading to the registration of multiple FIRs. The authorities also formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incidents, initially headed by former Justice Pranab Kumar Chatterjee, with its first meeting scheduled for August 27, as reported by Lokmat Times and The Indian Express.

Protests and demands

The unrest has galvanised student unions. On Monday, August 24, members of Leftist student unions rallied in central Kolkata, demanding punishment for those involved in the JU violence. Around 150 members from SFI, AIDSO, PSU, AISA, PDSF and other Left-backed unions assembled near Sealdah and marched about 3 km to Calcutta University on College Street, as reported by The Times of India.

SFI member Md Hasib Hossain said protesters wanted stern action against the accused in the JU violence, especially those identified by CCTV footage. The protest also demanded exemplary punishment for the killers of Sk Mohammad Mafik in Bankura and the revocation of NTA and NEP 2020, according to The Times of India.

Meanwhile, the ABVP held its own rally, called 'Save Jadavpur, Save Education', starting from Golpark and concluding at the 8B bus stand. Security was tightened at the university in view of the rally, with ABVP leadership claiming it would be peaceful and would not attempt to enter the campus, as reported by The Indian Express and Lokmat Times.

Probe committee uncertainty

Adding to the tensions, the fate of the probe committee formed to investigate the clashes became uncertain when its head, Subha Shankar Sarkar, former vice-chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University, expressed disinclination to lead the committee. Other members, Arunasish Goswami and Soumendu Chattopadhyay, were named, and JU authorities were left with the options of replacing Sarkar or announcing a new panel, as reported by Lokmat Times. The report also noted that JU has historically been a strong bastion of Leftist students' unions, and attempts by the Trinamool Congress to control the students' bodies during the 2011-2026 period failed.

Perspectives

SFI (Students' Federation of India)

The SFI's JU unit asserts that students' love for the country is unquestionable, dismissing the Chief Minister's allegations as based on wrong information. They point to CCTV footage to challenge claims about campus conditions and call for a debate, while inviting the Chief Minister to the campus.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari

Adhikari maintains that the campus has seen anti-national activities, including graffiti and slogans, and has directed an inquiry to identify those responsible. He asserts a zero-tolerance policy and plans to visit the campus to sing Vande Mataram.

ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad)

The ABVP has demanded an end to "anti-national Leftist activities" on campus and has held its own rally, while claiming that its actions are peaceful and lawful.

Mamata Banerjee (TMC chief and former Chief Minister)

Banerjee has accused the BJP of orchestrating unrest on the JU campus, stating that the university's emblem was trampled and destroyed, and has expressed respect for the students despite political differences.