SRFTI Turns Into a Battlefield Again! Stones, Bottles and Clashes Spark Fresh Campus Tension

A week after the last incident, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) once again turned into a battlefield on Sunday. A clash broke out over a rally by a Hindu organisation, leading to tension across the campus.
Students alleged that stones and water bottles were thrown into the campus from the rally. At least four students and five professors were seriously injured. Two female students suffered head injuries.
Angry students protested the incident and demanded better security. They also gheraoed SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera and the Registrar till late at night.
What happened on Sunday?
According to eyewitnesses, the rally reached the SRFTI gate on Sunday afternoon. The protesters allegedly tried to break through the police barricades. Stones, bricks and bottles were reportedly thrown into the campus from outside.
Professors were also injured by stones while trying to protect students. Some students from Presidency University and Jadavpur University, who had come for band practice, were also allegedly beaten.
Police struggled to control the situation. Students and professors alleged that the police remained silent even as the violence continued.
Hindu organisation hits back
The Hindu organisation made a counter-allegation, claiming that bottles were also thrown at them from inside the campus.
Organisation leader Mohit Sau issued a strong warning, saying, “They are not students, they are Naxals. No more love letters. We will answer them in the language they understand.”
Chief Minister’s strong message
Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari also reacted to the SRFTI incident. He said, “The atheists and Jamaatis have joined hands out of fear. The more they attack, the stronger saffron will become. Let them attack saffron; saffron will answer.”
Tension reaches Jadavpur University
Students at SRFTI are demanding the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, accusing the authorities of failing to provide security. All classes have also been boycotted.
Meanwhile, the issue has reached Jadavpur University. A convention has been organised there on Monday to protest the SRFTI incident.
However, ABVP has strongly opposed the presence of political leaders, including CPI(M) and AISA leaders, at the convention. This has created fresh tension on the Jadavpur University campus.