Archive · 7 Oct 2026
SFI and ABVP Clash at Raiganj University Over Resignation Poster
Supporters of two student groups, SFI and ABVP, clashed at Raiganj University.
The argument was connected to posters asking election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The posters referred to names being removed from voter lists during a nationwide process.
Each group blamed the other for starting the violence.
SFI said ABVP supporters attacked its members, while ABVP said SFI activists attacked theirs.
A report said at least eight students were hurt, and two were treated at a hospital.
Police stepped in and brought the situation under control.
University authorities said they were looking into both groups’ claims and had increased security.
SFI and ABVP supporters clashed at Raiganj University over posters demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The posters concerned voter-name deletions under the pan-India Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
SFI alleged ABVP supporters assaulted its members; ABVP denied this and accused SFI activists of attacking its members.
A report said at least eight students were injured, with two treated at Raiganj Government Medical College & Hospital.
Police intervened to control the clash; university authorities said they were examining both sides’ allegations and had strengthened campus security.
- Who
- Supporters of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
- What
- The groups clashed over posters demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; both sides accused the other of attacking them.
- When
- Tuesday afternoon; a PTI report is dated October 6 but does not specify a year.
- Where
- Raiganj University, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal.
- Why
- ABVP members objected to posters linking Gyanesh Kumar to voter-name deletions under the pan-India SIR process.
SFI’s account
ABVP’s account
Responsibility for the violence
SFI’s account
SFI alleged ABVP supporters assaulted its members; one SFI account said outsiders were brought in. SFI district leader Vivek Barman denied that SFI brought outsiders.
ABVP’s account
ABVP denied attacking SFI members and alleged SFI activists brought outsiders and assaulted its supporters. ABVP state secretary Deep Dutta said ABVP resisted after its activists were attacked.
How the dispute escalated
SFI’s account
SFI supporters said a student, Jahangir Alam, was taken away and assaulted, prompting supporters to gather and seek help.
ABVP’s account
An ABVP spokesperson said SFI activists raised anti-national slogans and were challenged by nationalist students.
- University
- Raiganj University
- Student groups
- Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)
- Disputed issue
- Posters calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over voter-name deletions during the pan-India SIR process
- Injuries
- At least eight students were reported injured; two were being treated at Raiganj Government Medical College & Hospital.
- SFI's account
- SFI alleged ABVP supporters assaulted its members; a spokesperson said some SFI members were hospitalised. SFI denied bringing outsiders.
- ABVP's account
- ABVP denied attacking SFI members and alleged SFI activists brought outsiders and injured ABVP supporters.
- Authorities' response
- Police intervened; university authorities said they were examining both sides’ allegations and had strengthened campus security.
