Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Jadavpur University Graffiti Debate Pits Campus Tradition Against Cleanliness
Jadavpur University students often write political and social messages on the campus walls.
The vice-chancellor said the walls belong to the university and that graffiti makes the campus look dirty.
He suggested that students use social media to share their opinions instead.
University authorities erased several slogans on Saturday.
Students painted some of them again on Monday as a protest.
They said the walls are important places for democratic expression.
A history professor also said graffiti shows that students care about society.
The disagreement is about whether campus walls should be kept clean or used for public debate.
Vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said political graffiti makes Jadavpur University look dirty to visitors.
Bhattacharjee urged students to use social media instead of writing political messages on university walls.
Students repainted graffiti erased after Suvendu Adhikari objected to slogans including “Free Palestine” and “Long Live Kisenji.”
Students said the walls are democratic spaces and accused authorities of diverting attention from alleged ABVP campus vandalism.
Professor Maroona Murmu defended graffiti as evidence of a vibrant, socially conscious campus and an independent student voice.
- Who
- Jadavpur University vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, protesting students, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and history professor Maroona Murmu.
- What
- A dispute over political graffiti on Jadavpur University walls, including whether it should be removed or treated as student expression.
- When
- The latest statements and repainting occurred on Monday; the graffiti was erased on Saturday. Related incidents were reported on August 20 and August 23.
- Where
- Jadavpur University campus, including the area near Gate No. 2; the vice-chancellor also referred to the university’s walls as a whole.
- Why
- University authorities cited property concerns and the campus’s appearance, while students and a professor defended graffiti as a democratic and socially conscious tradition.
Graffiti as Democratic Expression
Graffiti as Unsightly Political Writing
Purpose of university walls
Graffiti as Democratic Expression
Students and Professor Maroona Murmu said the walls are democratic spaces that reflect students’ independent views and social awareness.
Graffiti as Unsightly Political Writing
Vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said the walls are university property and political graffiti should not be encouraged.
Effect on the campus
Graffiti as Democratic Expression
Students argued that writing about figures such as B.R. Ambedkar and Savitribai Phule does not make the campus dirty or anti-national.
Graffiti as Unsightly Political Writing
Bhattacharjee said visitors dislike the graffiti and that it gives the university a dirty look.
Focus of the controversy
Graffiti as Democratic Expression
Students alleged that attention to graffiti was being used to divert discussion from alleged ABVP vandalism and the lack of arrests.
Graffiti as Unsightly Political Writing
University authorities and Suvendu Adhikari focused on removing or addressing graffiti they considered objectionable.
- University
- Jadavpur University
- Vice-chancellor’s position
- Political graffiti should not be encouraged, and students should use social media to convey messages.
- Graffiti removed
- Slogans included “Long Live Kisenji,” “Naxalbari is the path to Liberation,” “Free Palestine” and an anti-fascist message.
- Student response
- Students repainted some erased graffiti and said they had “reclaimed the walls” as part of a resistance movement.
- Political objection
- Suvendu Adhikari objected to the graffiti and urged the vice-chancellor to take appropriate action.
- Alternative view
- Professor Maroona Murmu called graffiti an inseparable part of Jadavpur University and a sign of students’ independent voice.
- Related campus dispute
- Students alleged that ABVP activists vandalised the campus on August 20, an allegation connected to an assault on their unit president, Nikhil Das.