Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Graffiti at Jadavpur University Sparks Nationalism and Free Speech Debate
Suvendu Adhikari criticized political drawings and messages on walls at Jadavpur University.
He said some slogans were not suitable for the country and asked university officials to act.
The graffiti included messages supporting Palestine and a picture honoring artist Chittaprosad Bhattacharya.
Some students said the graffiti is a way to share opinions about important issues.
They also said the government should focus on alleged attacks by ABVP supporters on campus.
The university said it would examine the matter.
A professor said universities should allow people with different political beliefs to be heard.
Student elections at state-aided universities have not taken place since January 2020.
Suvendu Adhikari objected to graffiti at Jadavpur University and urged its authorities to take appropriate action.
The graffiti included “Free Palestine,” political slogans, and a portrait of artist Chittaprosad Bhattacharya.
Students defended the writings as democratic expression and accused Adhikari of diverting attention from alleged ABVP attacks.
The alleged attacks followed an earlier clash involving ABVP’s Jadavpur University unit president, Nikhil Das.
The university’s acting registrar said officials would look into the matter; campus elections have not been held since January 2020.
- Who
- Suvendu Adhikari, Jadavpur University students, faculty members, and university officials.
- What
- A dispute arose over political graffiti and slogans on the university campus, with students challenging Adhikari’s objection.
- When
- Adhikari posted his objection on Monday; the alleged ABVP incidents occurred on August 20 after an alleged August 19 attack.
- Where
- Jadavpur University, including its arts hostel.
- Why
- Adhikari said some slogans were inappropriate and called for nationalism, while students said the graffiti expressed democratic and progressive views and that his comments deflected attention from alleged campus attacks.
Students and Progressive Voices
Nationalist and Administrative Concerns
Meaning of the graffiti
Students and Progressive Voices
Students said messages such as “Free Palestine” and the Chittaprosad portrait represent democratic expression and progressive causes.
Nationalist and Administrative Concerns
Adhikari said some slogans were not right for the country and called for appropriate action if the videos were authentic.
Political balance on campus
Students and Progressive Voices
Students argued that the objection distracts from alleged ABVP attacks and an attempted takeover of the campus.
Nationalist and Administrative Concerns
Professor Manas Ghosh said it is unfair to treat only Left ideology as the university’s representative voice and argued that Left, Right, and moderate views should coexist.
Nationalism and dissent
Students and Progressive Voices
Students questioned why opposition to Israel’s actions or progressive political graffiti should be treated as objectionable.
Nationalist and Administrative Concerns
Adhikari said a nationalist attitude should prevail from the borders to educational institutions and criticized those opposing Operation Sindoor while remaining silent on Pahalgam.
- Graffiti mentioned
- The video showed political and social messages, including “Free Palestine,” anti-fascist wording, and a portrait of Chittaprosad Bhattacharya.
- Adhikari’s request
- He said he would send the videos to the vice-chancellor and asked the university to take appropriate action if they were genuine.
- Student response
- Students described the graffiti as democratic expression and a feature of a vibrant campus.
- Alleged campus incidents
- ABVP supporters allegedly entered the campus twice on August 20, following an alleged attack on Nikhil Das on August 19.
- University response
- Acting registrar Selim Box Mandal said the university would look into the matter.
- Campus elections
- Elections at state-aided universities have not been held since January 2020.
- Earlier protest history
- Graffiti and posters featured prominently in the 2014 “Hok kolorob” movement and 2019 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.