Calcutta University Students Attacked in Sealdah Market

A violent clash erupted in Kolkata’s Sealdah market on Wednesday night when Hindi-speaking shopkeepers allegedly assaulted Calcutta University students, branding them “Bangladeshis” during a dispute over bargaining. The incident began when a student from the university’s Carmichael Hostel, located 1.5 km from the market, visited a shop to purchase mobile accessories. According to the student, a shopkeeper hurled abusive remarks, including calling him a “Bangladeshi,” sparking an argument.

The situation escalated as a group of students returned to confront the shopkeepers, leading to a brutal attack involving sharp weapons, sticks, and bamboos. Several students sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, with at least four reported to have serious wounds, per posts on X by @revfuryy. Kolkata Police have arrested two shopkeepers and registered a case under relevant sections for assault and causing grievous hurt, with investigations ongoing to review CCTV footage for further evidence.

The incident triggered outrage, with the pro-Bengali group Bangla Pokkho staging protests outside the market. Garga Chattopadhyay, the group’s general secretary, condemned the attack, stating, “Sealdah market is a known hub of outsiders who often abuse Bengali buyers. These students were targeted for speaking Bengali.” He demanded verification of CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators. Social media posts, like one from @chhuti_is, highlighted the use of hockey sticks and knives, amplifying calls for justice.

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The assault has reignited tensions over linguistic and regional identity in Kolkata, with Sealdah’s history of communal friction, as noted in a 2024 Swarajya report, coming under scrutiny. Local resident Priya Das told reporters, “This is shameful. Students shouldn’t face such violence for their language.” Authorities are urging calm as they probe the incident, which has sparked widespread debate on X under hashtags like #JusticeForCUStudents.

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