1 hr ago
Rival ABVP, SFI Marches Sharpen Nationalism Battle at Jadavpur University
Two student groups held separate marches near Jadavpur University.
ABVP marched inside the campus with the national flag and patriotic slogans.
SFI held a counter-march on the road outside.
Police placed barricades so the groups would not meet.
ABVP said it wanted to oppose slogans and activities it considers anti-national.
SFI said it opposed imposing one political and nationalist view on the campus.
The marches happened after clashes between the groups during the previous two weeks.
The disagreement is part of a larger political debate in West Bengal.
ABVP held a Vande Mataram march inside Jadavpur University on Thursday.
SFI organised a counter-march along Raja Subodh Mullick Road outside the campus.
Police erected barricades to prevent the two groups from confronting each other.
ABVP said its march opposed what it called anti-national slogans and activities.
The rival mobilisations followed clashes and a large Vande Mataram programme at the university.
- Who
- The ABVP and SFI, with students, teachers and non-teaching employees participating in the programmes.
- What
- ABVP held an internal Vande Mataram march, while SFI staged a counter-march outside the university.
- Where
- Inside Jadavpur University and along Raja Subodh Mullick Road outside the campus.
- When
- Thursday, following clashes over the previous two weeks and a large Vande Mataram programme the prior week.
- Why
- The marches reflected opposing views about nationalism, alleged anti-national activity and political influence on campus.
ABVP's Position
SFI's Position
Nationalism on campus
ABVP's Position
ABVP said there was no place at the university for what it described as anti-national slogans or activities.
SFI's Position
SFI opposed what it viewed as an attempt to impose a particular political and nationalist narrative on the campus.
Public messaging
ABVP's Position
ABVP presented patriotic portraits and constitutional illustrations as a response to controversial graffiti.
SFI's Position
SFI's counter-march provided a Left response to ABVP's mobilisation and its political messaging.
Use of campus space
ABVP's Position
ABVP held its march and conference-related programme inside the university.
SFI's Position
SFI marched outside the campus after police barricades were installed to prevent a direct confrontation.
Key facts
- ABVP programme
- A Vande Mataram march with the national flag and slogans including "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".
- SFI programme
- A counter-procession held along Raja Subodh Mullick Road outside the university.
- Police action
- Barricades were placed outside the campus to prevent a face-off.
- Conference
- The ABVP march preceded a Nationalist Conference at the Triguna Sen Auditorium.
- Visual displays
- ABVP workers displayed portraits including Rabindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose's constitutional illustrations.
- Recent context
- The mobilisation followed clashes between ABVP and Left student groups over the previous two weeks.
- Earlier event
- A large Vande Mataram programme was held at the university the previous week, with thousands participating.
Quotes
ABVP marchers
Participants in the ABVP nationalist march at Jadavpur University
“Bharat Mata Ki Jai”
deccanchronicle.com
“Vande Mataram”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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