Violence broke out at Jadavpur University late Wednesday night as members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) clashed with left-leaning student organizations. Several students were injured during the confrontation, which escalated to vandalism and fires on campus. Police arrived to control the situation and prevent further violence.
What Sparked the Conflict at Jadavpur University?
The clash reportedly began during a meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students' Union (FETSU). An ABVP-affiliated scholar was present when tensions rose between ABVP members and other student groups. The argument quickly intensified, leading to physical confrontations. Although the initial disturbance was brought under control, the situation worsened later that night.
According to the Communist Party of India (CPI), groups linked to ABVP, BJP, and RSS arrived on motorcycles around midnight and unleashed violence inside the campus. They allegedly attacked students with weapons, vandalized union rooms, threw stones and bricks, and set fire to students’ belongings. Reports also indicate that outsiders associated with the BJP entered the campus by force, pushing aside security personnel and damaging hostel facilities.
Details of the Incident and Aftermath
- Multiple fires were reported at various locations on campus.
- Hostel buildings and student union rooms suffered vandalism.
- Videos circulated on social media show groups attempting to enter locked campus facilities while chanting slogans.
- Stone-pelting and mob violence were reported during the unrest.
- Several students from both sides sustained injuries and were treated at KPC Medical College, where local MLA Sharbari Mukherjee visited to check on them.
- Police filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against several individuals involved in the violence.
- Members of ABVP protested at the Jadavpur Police Station following the incident.
Conflicting Claims and Political Context
The incident has led to competing accusations between student groups. ABVP alleges that left-leaning organizations such as the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Students' Organisation-Democratic Students' Federation (DSO-DSF) orchestrated a planned attack during the FETSU meeting. Conversely, left-leaning groups accuse ABVP of bringing outsiders into the campus to instigate violence and cause destruction.
Abhinav Das, a philosophy student and member of the Revolutionary Students' Front, claimed that ABVP and the National Students' Federation (NSF) brought outsiders to the meeting. Biswajit Roy, DSO State Committee secretary, accused ABVP and RSS members of vandalism, including tearing down flags, setting fires, and verbally abusing students.
The allegations remain unverified independently, but the incident highlights ongoing tensions between politically affiliated student groups at Jadavpur University, a campus known for its active political engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the violence at Jadavpur University?
A: The violence began during a student union meeting when tensions between ABVP and left-leaning student groups escalated into physical clashes, later involving outsiders and resulting in vandalism and injuries.
Q: Were there any injuries reported?
A: Yes, several students from both sides were injured and received medical treatment at KPC Medical College.
Q: What actions have authorities taken following the incident?
A: Police intervened to restore order, filed FIRs against individuals involved, and are investigating the incident. Student protests also took place at the local police station.
