1 week ago
Jadavpur University Emblem Vandalism Sparks Artists’ and Alumni Outrage
Students from different political groups at Jadavpur University argued and clashed.
The dispute began after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad alleged that one of its leaders was assaulted.
The groups then accused each other of bringing outsiders onto campus.
During the confrontation, the iron frame around the university emblem was removed and thrown over a gate.
The emblem was designed by artist Nandalal Bose.
Artists and former students said the emblem is more than decoration because it represents memories, history and identity.
They also said damaging public art is not a proper way to express disagreement.
Repair work began on Friday.
Jadavpur University’s emblem at Gate 4 was damaged during clashes involving the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Left-leaning student groups.
The confrontation followed an alleged assault during a Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union meeting.
The opposing groups accused each other of bringing outsiders onto the campus.
An iron frame surrounding the emblem, designed by Nandalal Bose, was removed and thrown over a locked gate toward protesting students.
Artists and former students condemned the damage, saying the emblem represents the university’s history, identity, education and cultural legacy.
- Who
- The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Left-leaning student groups including the Students’ Federation of India and the Democratic Students’ Organisation-Democratic Students’ Federation, along with artists and former students.
- What
- The iron frame around Jadavpur University’s emblem was stripped off and thrown over a locked gate during a campus confrontation.
- Where
- Jadavpur University, particularly Gate 4.
- When
- The main confrontation occurred on Thursday, after a dispute that began on Wednesday; repairs had started by Friday.
- Why
- The confrontation followed the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s allegation that one of its leaders was assaulted; both sides also accused each other of bringing outsiders onto campus.
Left-leaning student groups’ position
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s position
Cause of the confrontation
Left-leaning student groups’ position
The article reports that the Left-leaning groups were accused by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad of assaulting one of its leaders; the groups also accused each other of bringing outsiders onto campus.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s position
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad alleged that one of its leaders was assaulted by members of the Students’ Federation of India and the Democratic Students’ Organisation-Democratic Students’ Federation, while also accusing the opposing groups of bringing outsiders onto campus.
Interpretation of the emblem damage
Left-leaning student groups’ position
Artists and former students described the damage as an attack on a symbol of the university’s history, identity, education and culture rather than ordinary political dissent.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s position
The article does not report a specific public explanation from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad for the emblem’s damage; it records the group’s allegations about the earlier assault and the wider confrontation.
Key facts
- Damaged object
- Jadavpur University’s emblem and its surrounding iron frame
- Location
- Gate 4
- Emblem designer
- Nandalal Bose
- Initial dispute
- A general body meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union
- Groups involved
- The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Students’ Federation of India and Democratic Students’ Organisation-Democratic Students’ Federation
- Artists’ reaction
- Artists condemned the vandalism and emphasized the emblem’s cultural and historical importance
- Restoration
- Repair work had begun by Friday
Quotes
Subhodip Bandhopadhyay
27-year-old former Jadavpur University student
“Just like the university, the emblem also has a history of its own. It is more than just a piece of art. It is entangled with the university's identity, legacy and role in India’s freedom struggle. So, an attack on it is an attack on our history, culture and constitution. It is an attack on our freedom,”
telegraphindia.com
“Let’s not sanitise this as merely an ‘ideological tussle’. ABVP’s politics has repeatedly relied on intimidation, aggression and the spectacle of violence. Destroying a public symbol is not dissent, it is a display of power, and misplaced power is dangerous.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Jadavpur University Emblem Damaged Amid Campus Group Clash
Jadavpur University Files Cases After Campus Violence and Emblem Damage
ABVP Seeks Probe Into Jadavpur University Emblem Damage Allegations
West Bengal Minister Condemns Jadavpur Clash as Political Threats Escalate
BJP Leaders Clash Over Jadavpur University Campus Unrest
Jadavpur University Whitewashes Graffiti After Suvendu Adhikari Criticism
Former Jadavpur University Teachers Condemn Alleged August Campus Violence
Suvendu Adhikari’s Jadavpur Speech Deepens Campus Political Clash
Police Question Two ABVP Supporters Over Jadavpur University Attack
Kolkata Police Review Jadavpur Clashes Footage; No Arrests Yet
