Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Police Collect Jadavpur Vandalism Footage Six Days After Attacks
People linked to ABVP are accused of entering Jadavpur University twice and damaging parts of it.
The incidents reportedly happened on August 19 and 20.
The university emblem at the main gate was damaged.
ABVP leaders described the actions as a “surgical strike” and a “Ram Navami puja.”
Police first visited the campus to locate security cameras.
The next day, a police team asked the university for recordings from those cameras.
Officers also collected footage from the campus gates and nearby roads.
No one had yet been officially identified or arrested, and police said they would study the recordings first.
ABVP supporters allegedly entered and vandalised Jadavpur University twice within a few hours on August 19 and 20.
The university’s entrance emblem, designed by Nandalal Bose, was damaged during the alleged attacks.
A five-member Kolkata Police team formally sought CCTV footage from the university on Tuesday, after a reconnaissance visit on Monday.
Police had not formally identified or arrested any alleged attackers, and said identification would begin after the footage was seized.
The police also collected footage from inside and outside the campus, including areas near all four gates and nearby traffic routes.
- Who
- ABVP supporters were allegedly involved; Kolkata Police is investigating, with the university providing requested footage.
- What
- Two alleged campus incursions and vandalism incidents occurred, including damage to Jadavpur University’s emblem.
- When
- The attacks were reported as occurring on August 19 and 20; police formally sought footage six days later, on Tuesday.
- Where
- Jadavpur University in Kolkata, including its gates, meeting venue and surrounding areas.
- Why
- ABVP leaders said the actions were a “surgical strike” and a “Ram Navami puja” to “rid the campus of cockroaches”; police were investigating the alleged violence and vandalism.
Campus Critics and Students
ABVP Leaders and Police Response
Characterisation of the incidents
Campus Critics and Students
People on campus described the events as vandalism and criticised police for allegedly failing to prevent supporters from entering by force.
ABVP Leaders and Police Response
ABVP leaders described the actions as a “surgical strike” and a “Ram Navami puja” to “rid the campus of cockroaches.”
Investigation progress
Campus Critics and Students
Students and critics pointed to the absence of arrests or formal identification despite CCTV and mobile-phone videos reportedly showing people involved.
ABVP Leaders and Police Response
Police said they were collecting and reviewing footage, examining entry rules and would begin identifying those involved after the CCTV material was formally seized.
Graffiti investigation
Campus Critics and Students
Students reportedly felt formal police action began only after a video collage of graffiti was posted on X by Suvendu Adhikari.
ABVP Leaders and Police Response
Police and university officials said the Tuesday requests concerned vandalism footage, while no specific instruction or action regarding the graffiti had been received.
- Alleged attacks
- ABVP supporters allegedly entered and vandalised the campus twice within a few hours on August 19 and 20.
- Damaged property
- The university emblem at the main entrance, designed by Nandalal Bose, was damaged.
- Police operation
- A five-member team led by an assistant commissioner visited the registrar’s office to request footage.
- Footage collected
- Police said they collected recordings from inside and outside the campus, nearby traffic routes and all four university gates.
- Investigation status
- Police had yet to formally identify or arrest any alleged attackers.
- Additional inquiries
- Officers sought campus entry-and-exit rules, timings and footage from a student general-body meeting.
- Forensic work
- A team of forensic officials visited the campus on Tuesday evening.
