Clashes erupted at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) on Sunday, September 27, after a section of students objected to a programme organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), an RSS-linked consumer awareness body, in the institute’s main auditorium. Around 30 students and two faculty members were injured, according to reports and hospital sources. The ABGP had booked the SRFTI auditorium with the administration’s permission for an awareness programme and had put up posters and banners around the venue.

Trouble began after students questioned why an outside organisation had been allowed to hold the event and objected to the banners displayed on campus. The SRFTI Students’ Union alleged that when students went to ask for the banners to be removed, they were abused, called “anti-nationals,” “urban Naxals” and “terrorists,” and then assaulted by ABGP members. The union claimed that students, including women, were punched and kicked, while stones and bricks were allegedly thrown at them. Students further alleged that some ABGP members attacked them with knives and that four students suffered serious injuries.

Several others sustained cuts and bruises. A faculty member also alleged that he and colleagues were assaulted while trying to intervene, and students said some of those injured were chased into the library. ABGP state president Pankaj Roy denied the allegations and said the organisation had lawfully rented the hall after paying the required fee. He claimed ABGP members were assaulted by students, its posters and banners were torn down, and four people from the group were admitted to hospital following the incident. An SRFTI official said the administration was monitoring the situation in coordination with local authorities and maintained that there was no report of serious injury to anyone, including students.

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Police later said the situation was brought under control, and the campus returned to normal on Monday, with outsiders dispersed and students resuming classes.english. Police said three FIRs were lodged at the Panchasayar police station late on Sunday — two by ABGP members and one by SRFTI students. Officers said they were examining the circumstances that led to the clash and the allegations made by both sides. Twenty-five injured students were taken to Desun Hospital, where two were admitted and the rest were discharged after first aid. Another five students received first aid on campus from a Peerless Hospital team.

Reports said at least 27 people, including students and faculty, were taken for treatment following the violence.timesofindia. The clash has triggered a political row in West Bengal, with the BJP and Left-linked student organisations trading accusations over the incident. The ABGP Paschim Banga Prant has lodged a complaint seeking registration of an FIR over the violence, while student groups have demanded action against those they allege attacked them.news. Police maintained a presence outside SRFTI’s main gate on Monday. Authorities have not announced any arrests so far, and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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