Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Jadavpur University Tensions Escalate as ABVP, SFI Clash With Police
Two student groups, ABVP and SFI, became involved in clashes at Jadavpur University.
The trouble began with an argument during a student union meeting.
Each group accused the other of bringing outsiders onto the campus.
ABVP supporters marched toward Gate 4 from Golpark.
SFI supporters marched from the 8B bus stand.
Police used barricades to stop both groups from reaching the campus.
Some protesters broke through the barriers, leading to scuffles with police.
Students and teachers also made different accusations about damage and objects being thrown.
An early-morning clash between ABVP and Left-leaning groups at Jadavpur University led to rival protest rallies.
ABVP supporters marched from Golpark, broke through police barricades and reached the locked Gate 4 entrance.
Left-leaning students gathered inside the campus, while some ABVP supporters tried to scale the gate.
SFI supporters clashed with police near the 8B bus stand after attempting to march toward Gate 4.
Students and teachers accused ABVP supporters of vandalism, while Left-leaning students alleged eggs and water bottles were thrown at them.
- Who
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) supporters, Students’ Federation of India (SFI) supporters, other Left-leaning students, Kolkata Police, teachers and students.
- What
- Rival student protests and clashes with police took place after an earlier campus altercation.
- When
- Thursday afternoon, August 20, after an initial clash earlier that day.
- Where
- Jadavpur University in Kolkata, including Gate 4, Golpark and the 8B bus stand area.
- Why
- The unrest followed an altercation during a student union general body meeting; both sides accused each other of bringing outsiders onto campus.
ABVP supporters
SFI and Left-leaning students
Movement toward campus
ABVP supporters
ABVP supporters marched from Golpark, broke through police barricades and reached the locked Gate 4 entrance; some were seen trying to scale the gate.
SFI and Left-leaning students
SFI supporters marched from the 8B bus stand, while Left-leaning students inside the campus gathered to resist the attempted ABVP entry.
Cause of the initial clash
ABVP supporters
ABVP and Left-leaning groups accused each other of bringing outsiders onto the campus after the student union meeting altercation.
SFI and Left-leaning students
Left-leaning groups made the same accusation against ABVP supporters; the reports do not establish which side was responsible.
Conduct during the confrontation
ABVP supporters
The reports describe ABVP supporters attempting to enter through Gate 4 and say teachers and students accused them of vandalising the premises.
SFI and Left-leaning students
Left-leaning students alleged that ABVP supporters threw eggs and water bottles, while SFI supporters alleged that several workers were injured during clashes with police.
- Institution
- Jadavpur University
- Student groups
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI), along with other Left-leaning students
- ABVP march
- Supporters marched from Golpark toward Gate 4 and breached police barricades
- SFI march
- Supporters gathered at the 8B bus stand and attempted to proceed toward Gate 4
- Security deployment
- Local police, Rapid Action Force personnel and central paramilitary troops were deployed
- Campus entrance
- Gate 4 was locked when ABVP supporters reached it
- Reported allegations
- Left-leaning students alleged that eggs and water bottles were thrown; teachers and students accused ABVP supporters of vandalism
- Latest reported development
- SFI supporters held a sit-in at the 8B bus stand after police stopped them from proceeding
