Archive · 15 Nov 2025
ISI Kolkata Forms Committee Amidst Communal Graffiti and Counter-Protests
Imagine a school called ISI Kolkata that is supposed to be a welcoming place for everyone to learn.
Recently, some mean and hateful messages were written on the walls of one of the boys' dorms, telling certain students they weren't allowed there.
This happened right after a bad event in another city, which made people upset.
The school leaders were shocked and created a special team, with some students on it, to figure out who did it and how to stop it from happening again.
While this team started its work, other students decided to show that hate is not welcome.
They put up posters on the same dorm walls with positive messages about treating everyone equally, no matter their religion or background, and even pointed to a rule in the country's Constitution that says everyone should be treated fairly.
The school leaders also said that this kind of hate is not what their school is about, as it's a place for learning and research.
The team is investigating, but there are cameras only at the entrance of the dorm, which might make it hard to find who wrote the messages.
The school wants to fix its image and ensure everyone feels safe.
ISI Kolkata has formed a 10-member committee, including student representatives, to investigate communal graffiti found on the C.V. Raman Hall hostel.
The graffiti, expressing communal hatred, appeared a day after a deadly blast in Delhi, shocking the institute community.
Students, researchers, and teachers responded with counter-posters promoting inclusivity and citing Article 15 of the Constitution against discrimination.
ISI's officiating director condemned the graffiti as an 'aberration' violating the institute's values, emphasizing its reputation for research and academics.
The investigation committee, led by a former dean of students, will identify perpetrators and suggest preventive measures, while respecting ongoing student exams.
- Who
- Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Kolkata authorities, students, teachers, alumni, and unidentified perpetrators.
- What
- Communal graffiti appeared on a boys' hostel, followed by student-led counter-protests promoting inclusivity.
- When
- Graffiti surfaced a day after a Delhi blast; a fact-finding committee began its probe on Friday, coinciding with the start of student exams.
- Where
- Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata, specifically on the C.V. Raman Hall, its walls, and staircases.
- Why
- The graffiti is seen as an act of communal hatred; the counter-posters aim to remind the community of constitutional values and promote inclusivity.
Institute's Stance & Actions
Student & External Views
Response to Graffiti
Institute's Stance & Actions
ISI Kolkata formed a 10-member fact-finding committee, including student representatives, to investigate the communal graffiti and suggest preventive measures. The committee is headed by a former dean of students and aims for a fair and transparent probe, considering students' ongoing exams. The institute's officiating director called the incident an 'aberration' and stated ISI is known for research and academics, not such acts. A formal statement condemned the language as a violation of core values.
Student & External Views
Students, researchers, and teachers responded by putting up posters promoting inclusivity, citing Article 15 of the Constitution, and stating 'No religious bigots allowed inside.' A former teacher described the incident as 'unthinkable' and hoped for a fair probe and prevention of recurrence. A research scholar saw the constitutional reminder as a counter to the hateful narrative.
Perpetrators and Reporting
Institute's Stance & Actions
The institute has tasked the committee with identifying those responsible for the hateful writings. The CCTV cameras at C.V. Raman Hall are only at the entrance.
Student & External Views
The perpetrators are currently unidentified. The institute has not filed a police complaint.
- Institute
- Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata
- Location of Graffiti
- C.V. Raman Hall (Boys' Hostel), walls and staircases
- Nature of Graffiti
- Communal hatred, telling students of a particular community they were not allowed on campus.
- Timing of Discovery
- A day after a blast in Delhi that killed 13 people.
- Institute's Response
- Formation of a 10-member fact-finding committee (including 4 students), to file report as soon as possible, suggesting preventive measures.
- Student Response
- Counter-protest with posters emphasizing inclusivity, referencing Article 15 of the Constitution.
- Committee Head
- Former dean of students
- Surveillance
- CCTV cameras present, but only at the entrance of C.V. Raman Hall.
