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Clash at Kolkata Film Institute Follows Dispute Over RSS-Linked Event
A group held a programme at a film institute in Kolkata.
Some students objected because they believed the event was political and that speakers used provocative words.
The students and members of the organising group then argued and fought.
Each side said the other attacked first.
Students said outsiders hurt students and damaged or took their belongings.
The organisers said students tore posters and disrupted their programme.
Police came to the campus and added more officers to control the situation.
Reports differed about how many people were seriously injured, but several people were reported hurt.
Students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat clashed at SRFTI in Kolkata on September 27, 2026.
Students objected to an ABGP programme, alleging it was political and included provocative or derogatory remarks.
ABGP representatives claimed students tore posters, disrupted the programme and attacked its members.
Both sides reported assaults, while accounts differed over the number and seriousness of injuries.
Police deployed additional forces after gate blockades, stone-throwing allegations and continuing tensions on campus.
- Who
- Students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, were involved.
- What
- A clash broke out during and around an ABGP programme held at the institute.
- Where
- The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute campus in Kolkata, including its main auditorium and gates.
- When
- Sunday, September 27, 2026.
- Why
- Students objected to what they viewed as a political event and alleged that speakers made provocative or derogatory remarks; ABGP said students disrupted the programme and attacked its members.
Student Accounts
ABGP Accounts
Reason for the protest
Student Accounts
Students said the programme was political and alleged that speakers made provocative, hateful or derogatory remarks, including reportedly calling students “anti-national,” “urban Naxals” and “terrorists.”
ABGP Accounts
ABGP said it had lawfully rented the venue and was conducting its scheduled programme when students disrupted it.
Who initiated the violence
Student Accounts
Students and a faculty member alleged that ABGP members or other outsiders assaulted students, including women, and that students were chased and attacked across campus.
ABGP Accounts
An ABGP representative claimed that students surrounded and assaulted members of the organisation, while the group also alleged that posters were torn and the programme was disrupted.
Injuries and official response
Student Accounts
Students alleged physical attacks involving stones, bricks, sticks and other objects, and demanded action over an alleged stabbing; they also said police failed to act adequately.
ABGP Accounts
An ABGP member said four people were admitted to hospital and alleged that a statue or picture of Swami Vivekananda was damaged. An SRFTI official said the situation was under control and no serious injuries had been reported.
Key facts
- Venue
- SRFTI’s main auditorium or community hall
- Programme time
- Scheduled from 12 pm to 4 pm
- Organiser
- Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat
- Police response
- A large police contingent and additional forces were deployed
- Reported injuries
- At least four people were reported injured in one account; an ABGP member said four people were hospitalised
- Official assessment
- An SRFTI official said there was no report of any serious injury
- Reported disruptions
- Students reportedly blocked campus gates, and bricks and water bottles were allegedly thrown near the gate
Quotes
An ABGP panchayat member
A member of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat who commented after the campus clash
“One of the accused who has been detained is the same person who chased me and hit me on the head. He also tore the clothes of several students”
telegraphindia.com
“We will request parents not to send their guardians to SRFTI as that will create more anti-nationals,”
theprint.in
SRFTI students’ union
The student union representing students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
“The students were verbally abused, including being called ‘anti-national’ and ‘cockroaches’. Members of the group then physically attacked students, including women students, using punches, kicks, stones, bricks, sticks and other objects.”
telegraphindia.com
Unidentified voice in a video shared by Suman Majumder
A person heard threatening people inside the SRFTI campus
“Just come outside once, you will die. Just come outside once.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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