Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Calcutta High Court Protects Journalists Over 'Saffron Hooliganism' Headline
A newspaper used the words “saffron hooliganism” to describe a fight at Jadavpur University.
The fight involved the ABVP and Left-affiliated student groups.
Both sides blamed each other for the violence.
Several students were hurt and taken to a hospital.
Police opened a case against some newspaper journalists.
The journalists asked the Calcutta High Court for protection.
The court said police should not take coercive action against them until December 15.
The case will be heard again on December 1.
The Calcutta High Court barred West Bengal Police from taking coercive action against Anandabazar Patrika journalists until December 15.
The journalists face an FIR over describing August 20 clashes at Jadavpur University as “saffron hooliganism.”
The case names editor Ishani Dutta Roy, chief reporter Soma Mukherjee, and other members of the newspaper’s editorial team.
ABVP and Left-affiliated student groups blamed each other for the violence, in which several students were injured.
Men purportedly linked to Hindutva outfits protested outside the newspaper’s office and smeared saffron paint on its building on September 1.
- Who
- Anandabazar Patrika journalists, including Ishani Dutta Roy and Soma Mukherjee, are named in the FIR; the clash involved ABVP and Left-affiliated student groups.
- What
- The Calcutta High Court ordered protection from coercive action in a case concerning the headline “saffron hooliganism.”
- When
- The clash occurred on August 20; the office protest occurred on September 1; protection applies until December 15, with the case next heard on December 1.
- Where
- The clash occurred at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, and the protest took place outside the Anandabazar Patrika office.
- Why
- The FIR was registered over the newspaper’s description of the university clashes as “saffron hooliganism.”
Journalists and newspaper authorities
Headline critics and opposing student groups
Description of the clashes
Journalists and newspaper authorities
Anandabazar Patrika characterized the violence as “saffron hooliganism,” or “gerua gundami.”
Headline critics and opposing student groups
The ABVP and Left-affiliated groups blamed each other for the violence and accused the other side of bringing outsiders onto the campus.
Legal response
Journalists and newspaper authorities
The journalists sought urgent court intervention and filed a petition seeking to quash the FIR.
Headline critics and opposing student groups
The FIR was registered over the newspaper’s headline, while the state initially said it would take no coercive action if the journalists cooperated with investigators.
Response to the newspaper
Journalists and newspaper authorities
The newspaper’s authorities repainted the office walls after saffron paint was applied.
Headline critics and opposing student groups
Men purportedly associated with Hindutva outfits protested outside the office and shouted that saffron had been insulted.
- Court order
- The Calcutta High Court directed West Bengal Police not to take coercive action against the journalists until December 15.
- Next hearing
- The case is scheduled to be heard on December 1.
- Headline
- Anandabazar Patrika described the clashes as “gerua gundami,” translated as “saffron hooliganism.”
- FIR defendants
- The FIR includes editor Ishani Dutta Roy, chief reporter Soma Mukherjee, and other editorial team members.
- University clash
- The August 20 violence occurred during a general meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union.
- Injuries
- Several students were injured and taken to a hospital.
- Office protest
- On September 1, men purportedly associated with Hindutva outfits smeared saffron paint on the newspaper’s building.