15 hrs ago
Situation Normal at SRFTI After Student-ABGP Clash
A disagreement happened at a film institute in Kolkata on Sunday.
Students objected to an outside group holding a programme there.
The group, called ABGP, said it had permission to use the auditorium.
Both students and ABGP members accused each other of starting the violence.
Students said some of them, including female students, were attacked.
ABGP said some of its members were also hurt and four went to hospital.
Students protested and locked the institute’s main gate after the clash.
On Monday, police stayed outside, students attended classes, and the situation was reported to be normal.
Police said cases had been filed in connection with the incident.
Police maintained security outside SRFTI after Sunday’s clash between students and ABGP members.
Students returned to classes on Monday, while outsiders dispersed from the institute’s gate.
Students alleged ABGP members attacked them, including with knives, and injured several people.
ABGP claimed students disrupted its permitted programme, tore posters and banners, and assaulted its members.
Police said cases were filed by both sides or suo motu at Panchasayar police station.
- Who
- Students and teachers of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat.
- What
- A clash occurred after students protested an ABGP programme held at the institute; both sides accused each other of assault.
- Where
- The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- When
- The clash took place on Sunday, and the situation was reported as normal on Monday, September 28.
- Why
- Students objected to an outside organisation with right-wing links holding a programme on campus, while ABGP said students disrupted its permitted event.
Students’ allegations
ABGP’s allegations
Cause of the confrontation
Students’ allegations
Students said they protested the presence of outsiders and questioned why a private organisation with right-wing links was allowed to hold an event on campus.
ABGP’s allegations
ABGP said students disrupted its permitted programme, tore posters and banners, and attacked members without provocation.
Alleged violence
Students’ allegations
Students alleged ABGP members beat them, used knives, and manhandled female students; they said four students suffered serious injuries.
ABGP’s allegations
ABGP alleged that its members were assaulted and said four members were admitted to hospital.
Conduct at the event
Students’ allegations
The students’ association alleged that speakers made provocative remarks and called students terms including “anti-national,” “urban Naxals” and “terrorists.”
ABGP’s allegations
ABGP state president Pankaj Roy said students objected to a picture of Bharat Mata and harassed programme attendees, including women.
Key facts
- Location
- Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata
- Organisations involved
- Students and the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat
- Programme
- An ABGP consumer-rights event with a nationalist vision
- Venue permission
- ABGP said it paid Rs 15,000 to hire the auditorium and received permission
- Reported injuries
- Students alleged several injuries, while ABGP said four of its members were admitted to hospital
- Police action
- Police maintained a presence and said cases were filed by both sides or suo motu
- Monday situation
- Students resumed classes and no outsiders gathered outside the main gate
Quotes
An SRFTI official
An official of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute commenting on conditions after the clash.
“Today the situation is normal. Outsiders have dispersed, while students have resumed classes”
theprint.in
An ABGP member
A member of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat describing the organisation’s account of the incident.
“We had paid Rs 15,000 to hire the auditorium and had obtained permission from the authorities. Our organisation works mainly for consumer protection and awareness. But an attempt was made to disrupt our programme, and posters were torn”
theprint.in
Sources
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