Violence Erupts Outside Jadavpur University as Student Groups Clash

Kolkata, August 20: Fresh clashes erupted outside the prestigious Jadavpur University (JU) in South Kolkata on Thursday between activists of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). This follows a similar incident the previous day that resulted in several student injuries.

The violence broke out after both student groups held separate protest rallies condemning the clashes that occurred overnight on Wednesday. The SFI rally commenced from the 8B bus stand crossing, while ABVP supporters began their march from Golpark crossing.

A large joint contingent of Kolkata police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) set up barricades and railings to stop the SFI rally near its starting point. The ABVP rally was allowed to proceed towards the Jadavpur police station, where another joint force of police and CAPF erected similar barricades to halt the protesters.

Tensions escalated when a group of ABVP activists broke through the barricades and advanced towards the university’s main gate. In response, SFI activists, who had been stopped at the 8B bus stand crossing, attempted to breach the barricades as well, with some successfully crossing the police cordon.

This led to two separate altercations. The first clash occurred between SFI activists and security personnel at the 8B bus stand crossing. The second confrontation took place in front of JU’s main gate, involving both SFI and ABVP members.

During the second clash, the university’s emblem, designed by renowned artist Nandalal Bose, was reportedly damaged.

Meanwhile, Jadavpur police registered an FIR against 11 individuals under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to the clashes that took place inside the university campus on Wednesday night. Authorities stated that all 11 accused are linked to the SFI or other leftist student organizations.

The SFI has accused the ABVP of bringing outsiders into the university campus to attack students. SFI General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharya challenged the ABVP to gain control of the student body through democratic elections instead of resorting to violence.

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