Historic Jadavpur University Emblem Damaged During ABVP Rally; Severe Condemnation Follows

 

KOLKATA — Widespread outrage and condemnation erupted after the historic emblem of Jadavpur University (JU)—originally designed by legendary artist Nandalal Bose—was damaged during violent clashes outside Gate No. 4 of the campus.

The incident occurred during a protest rally organized by the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), following midnight clashes with Left-wing student bodies, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Students' Organisation (DSO).

Key Developments and Allegations

• Damage to Campus Heritage: Tensions escalated when ABVP demonstrators breached police barricades and climbed onto the university's main gates. During the commotion, the iron framework housing the university emblem was broken and trampled, sparking criticism across academic and political circles over the desecration of the institution's heritage.
  
  
• Attacks on Students and Researchers: Students and researchers standing inside the campus gates alleged that ABVP rally participants hurled glass bottles, bricks, eggs, and stones at them.
  
  
• Allegations of Outsider Involvement: Protesting students and Left-wing student groups alleged that a large section of those participating in the rally were non-student outsiders brought in to instigate violence on campus. ABVP functionaries denied the vandalism claims, counter-alleging that Left groups attacked their members and harbored non-student activists inside campus buildings.
  
  

Political Fallout & Contradictory Stances

The unrest triggered conflicting statements from BJP leadership regarding the student body and the campus situation:

Political Figure	Stance & Statement
Samik Bhattacharya (BJP West Bengal State President & MP)	Distanced the party from the incident, stating that the ABVP is an independent student organization not directly linked to the BJP, and that maintaining campus order is the responsibility of the state government.
Sarbari Mukherjee (BJP MLA, Jadavpur)	Actively backed the protesters, visiting the injured at the local hospital and police station. She publicly accused Left student groups of turning JU into a "haven for anti-nationals" and warned of severe actions if opposition activists did not surrender.

Police Investigation

According to reports by FM Bharat and India Today, Kolkata Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have deployed heavy contingents around the campus. An FIR has been registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to investigate the campus violence, breach of barricades, and destruction of university property.