A protest march by the members of the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Mancha triggered tension, resulting in chaos outside Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI).
The situation escalated as police prevented the protesters from entering the campus. "This afternoon, the protesters arrived in front of the SRFTI gate, but police personnel deployed at the spot prevented them from entering the campus," an officer said to PTI. Officials also mentioned that some of the agitators tried to breach the institute's gate when they were stopped by the police, leading to a scuffle between the two groups.
Why was the protest organised today?
The demonstration was staged in protest against the September 27 clash on the campus between some students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), an RSS-affiliated consumer awareness group. The incident left several students and others injured and has since triggered protests, police investigations and concerns over campus security.
Clashes broke out on September 27 after Akhil Bharatiya Grameen Pathshala (ABGP), an RSS affiliate, booked an auditorium on campus for an event. SRFTI students protested the institute’s decision to rent out the space on a Sunday for a non-film event, putting up posters to question the move. ABGP members then confronted the protesting students, leading to a violent altercation. SRFTI students alleged that they were called anti-national, dimagi naxals, jihadis, Pakistani and Bangladeshi. The students also alleged that they were kicked and punched while bricks and stones were hurled at them. Female students of the institute said that they were threatened with rape while obscene gestures were made at them.
According to PTI, in the latest protest, several students and teachers inside the campus, many of whom were seen wearing helmets, alleged that stones and water bottles were thrown into the premises from outside.
Officials have confirmed that the situation is being closely monitored to avoid further escalation.
To maintain law and order, police said strict action will be taken against anyone trying to disrupt peace.
