2 days ago
Jadavpur University Erases Political Graffiti, Promises Uniform Enforcement
Jadavpur University removed some political messages written on its walls.
The university said slogans that could hurt people’s feelings or create political tension should not remain.
The removed messages included support for Kisenji, a slogan about Naxalbari, and “Free Palestine.”
The vice-chancellor said the same rule would apply to every student group.
This means graffiti written by the ABVP would also be removed if it broke the rule.
Some Left-leaning students said the messages were a legitimate way to express opinions.
They also said attention to the graffiti might distract from alleged ABVP vandalism on campus.
The ABVP welcomed the university’s decision.
Jadavpur University removed graffiti containing slogans it described as politically sensitive.
Erased slogans included “Long Live Kisenji,” “Naxalbari is the path to Liberation,” “Free Palestine” and references to fascists.
Vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said politically sensitive graffiti would be removed regardless of the student organisation responsible.
Left and ultra-Left students defended the graffiti as political expression and questioned why it was objectionable.
ABVP’s Jadavpur University spokesperson welcomed the whitewashing after an appeal from Suvendu Adhikari.
- Who
- Jadavpur University authorities, Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, student organisations, Suvendu Adhikari and the ABVP.
- What
- The university erased politically sensitive graffiti and said it would apply the policy uniformly to all student organisations.
- Where
- On the campus walls of Jadavpur University.
- When
- The erasures took place on a Saturday, days after Suvendu Adhikari objected to the graffiti; related campus incidents occurred on August 20 and his remarks were made on August 28.
- Why
- The vice-chancellor said politically sensitive slogans and messages that could hurt others’ sentiments should be avoided.
Student Critics and Left Groups
University Authorities and ABVP Supporters
Whether the graffiti should have been removed
Student Critics and Left Groups
Left and ultra-Left students said slogans such as “Free Palestine” and anti-fascist messages were political expression and questioned what was objectionable about them.
University Authorities and ABVP Supporters
The vice-chancellor said politically sensitive statements should be avoided when they may hurt others’ sentiments, and the ABVP welcomed the removal.
Whether the action was politically motivated
Student Critics and Left Groups
A student associated with Art Against Oppression alleged that attention to the graffiti was intended to deflect attention from alleged ABVP vandalism on August 20.
University Authorities and ABVP Supporters
The university said the matter was an internal policy issue and promised to remove politically sensitive graffiti from any organisation, including the ABVP.
Key facts
- University
- Jadavpur University
- Vice-chancellor
- Chiranjib Bhattacharjee
- Erased slogans
- “Long Live Kisenji,” “Naxalbari is the path to Liberation,” “Free Palestine” and anti-fascist slogans
- Stated policy
- Politically sensitive graffiti will be removed regardless of the student organisation responsible.
- Earlier graffiti removal
- A slogan reading “Azad Kashmir” was whitewashed on April 29 last year.
- Political appeal
- Suvendu Adhikari objected to the graffiti while speaking outside Jadavpur University’s Gate No. 2 on August 28.
- ABVP response
- The ABVP’s university media spokesperson said the organisation was happy some graffiti had been whitewashed.
Quotes
Chiranjib Bhattacharjee
Vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University
“We are not opposed to writing political slogans. However, a slogan that can hurt others’ sentiments should be avoided. We live in a democratic space and should not be hurting others’ sentiments.”
telegraphindia.com
“The university’s CCTV footage exposes ABVP’s vandalism. To deflect attention from this, the chief minister is now targeting the graffiti, which is a tool to express one’s independent thought.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Left Students Repaint Jadavpur University Walls After Whitewash
Jadavpur University Whitewashes Graffiti After Suvendu Adhikari Criticism
Graffiti at Jadavpur University Sparks Nationalism and Free Speech Debate
Suvendu Adhikari Orders Probe Into Alleged Anti-National JU Graffiti
Jadavpur University Graffiti Debate Pits Campus Tradition Against Cleanliness
Jadavpur University Graffiti War Deepens State-Campus Political Divide
Free Bus Rides for Bengal Women Fuel Class Tensions
Calcutta High Court Denies Urgent Relief to Newspaper Journalists
Jadavpur VC Urges Students to Move Views From Walls Online
Srijit Mukherji’s Winkle Twinkle Revives a Timely Political Drama
Bengal’s New BJP Government Faces Test Beyond Victory
