Archive · 31 Aug 2026
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.
- 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.
- Where
- On the campus walls of Jadavpur University.
- 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.
- 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.