Violent clash erupts at Kolkata film institute over RSS-linked group's auditorium event
Students at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute in Kolkata fought with members of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat after the group held a program in the campus auditorium, leaving several students injured.
On Sunday, a dispute over the use of the main auditorium at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute in Kolkata escalated into a violent clash between students and the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an RSS-linked group. Students said the organisation had not previously been allowed to hold political programmes on campus and objected to the event, alleging that its speakers delivered inflammatory remarks. The tension turned physical when a group of students entered the hall, allegedly removing flags, posters and banners, and the two sides reportedly exchanged blows, with some participants brandishing knives.
At least four students suffered serious injuries and several others were hurt, while teachers were also said to have been assaulted. Police detained a suspected primary aggressor inside the campus and escorted him away, though students claim the police merely recorded complainants' details without providing medical aid or security for the remaining 150 students on site. The incident remains under investigation, with statements from Kolkata Police, SRFTI administration and the event organisers pending.
Why it matters
The clash highlights tensions over political activities on educational campuses and raises concerns about student safety and police response.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same violent incident at the film institute, but left-leaning coverage stresses the RSS affiliation and the severity of the clash, while centrist coverage presents it as a straightforward student attack after objecting to an outsiders' event.
LEFT
Frames the incident as a violent clash involving an RSS-linked group, highlighting political motives, inflammatory remarks, and serious injuries.
CENTER
Frames the incident as a student attack following objections to an outsiders' event on campus.
The left emphasises
- RSS-linked group
- inflammatory remarks
- brandishing knives
- serious injuries
In this story
