World · South & Central Asia · 20 hrs ago
SRFTI protest continues as classes remain suspended until December 11
Students at Kolkata’s SRFTI have protested for 42 days, and the institute has suspended classes until December 11.
The dispute began after a September 27 clash between students and members of an RSS-affiliated group holding an event on campus, which left several students injured.
Students want the authorities held accountable for the violence and are also calling for Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmeera to resign.
The institute says it has addressed safety concerns and taken disciplinary action over alleged rule violations, while students deny the allegations against them.
At least 25 students have received show-cause notices, six have faced rustication, and one police case has been registered against student union Vice-President Shubham.
The students say two contract faculty members and five resource persons were also dismissed for supporting them, while hostels and the mess remain closed.
Institute officials say they are ready to restart classes and have called for dialogue, but the suspension is set to continue until December 11.
The protest at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute in Kolkata continued for 42 days as classes remained suspended until December 11.
Students say they are seeking accountability for campus violence and want Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmeera to resign.
Institute authorities say they are ready to resume classes and have asked students to take part in dialogue.
At least 25 students have received show-cause notices, six have faced rustication, and one police case has been registered against a student union vice-president.
Students say two contractual faculty members and five resource persons were terminated for showing solidarity with them.
- Who
- Students at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, its administration and faculty.
- What
- A student protest continues, and classes are suspended until December 11.
- When
- The protest had continued for 42 days as of November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata.
- Why
- Students demand accountability for campus violence and the vice-chancellor’s resignation. Authorities cite alleged rule violations and say they have addressed safety concerns.
SRFTI students
SRFTI administration
Campus safety
SRFTI students
Students demand accountability for failing to protect them during campus violence.
SRFTI administration
The vice-chancellor says authorities addressed students’ safety concerns and took necessary action.
Disciplinary action
SRFTI students
Students deny the allegations against them.
SRFTI administration
Authorities cite alleged rule violations and say disciplinary action was taken.
Classes
SRFTI students
Students continue their protest, with classes suspended.
SRFTI administration
The registrar says the faculty and administration are ready to resume classes and want constructive dialogue.
The campus impasse began after violence broke out during an event held by the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat.
Six students received rustication notices for allegedly manhandling the vice-chancellor.
Eleven students received show-cause notices.
The protest had continued for 42 days, and classes remained suspended until December 11.
- Protest duration
- 42 days as of November 7, 2026
- Class suspension
- Until December 11
- Show-cause notices
- At least 25 students
- Rustication
- Six students
- Police case
- One FIR against student union Vice-President Shubham
What people are saying
This Diwali we choose to resist
While the faculty and administration are ready to resume classes, a section of students continues to remain disengaged from academics and disrupt the functioning of the Institute through repeated violations of its rules and orders