West Bengal CM directs inquiry into alleged ‘anti-national’ graffiti at JU hostel

CM is scheduled to visit the JU campus on Friday (August 28, 2026) and sing Vande Mataram with the students to ‘instill the spirit of nationalism’, said the officials from the ABVP

Days after a violent clash that erupted between the supporters of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Left-backed students’ wings, the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed the vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University and the senior officials of the higher education department to launch an immediate inquiry into the alleged ‘anti-national’ graffiti and posters reported at the boys’ hostel of the university’s Arts unit. 

In a post on X, he said that the educational Institutions are sacred spaces of learning, academic excellence and nation-building. However, some instances of ‘objectionable, sociopathic, violent and anti-national’ wall graffiti & drawings inside the Arts Division Boys Hostel premises. 

“Under no circumstances will Campus premises be permitted to be used as platforms for spreading deranged propaganda and Anti-India sentiment. The concerned Department and University Administration must ensure stringent compliance and the preservation of academic integrity. If the presence of such Anti-National messaging and deranged psychotic drawings is verified, immediate steps must be taken to remove the graffiti, fix accountability and initiate strict administrative and legal action against those responsible,” Mr. Adhikari said. 

He directed the vice chancellor of JU and the principal secretary Higher Education Department and other competent Authorities to initiate an immediate inquiry into the matter, firstly by conducting an on-ground physical verification of the Arts Division Boys Hostel area to ascertain the existence of these inappropriate wall graffiti and if found then proceed to identify the individuals involved.

The West Bengal Government strictly follow Zero Tolerance Policy towards Anti National Activities anywhere in the State, especially in Campuses of Educational Institutions. West Bengal’s educational institutions must remain centers of merit & discipline, not grounds for divisive rhetoric and unsocial activities, he said. 

CM also uploaded a video from the hostel with the post that recorded some of the graffiti which he referred as ‘anti-national’. These graffiti include a flag of war-torn Palestine demanding to free the country, a picture of the Nazi symbol Swastika with a message ‘Break fascists with red’, or ‘Fascists do not deserve democracy, they deserve a bullet in the head;. There are also graffiti on the Naxalbari movement, hailing CPI(ML) leaders. 

Earlier in the day, Mr. Adhikari said that slogans and activities glorifying slain Maoist Mallojula Koteswara Rao, better known as ‘Kishenji’, would not be allowed on Jadavpur University campus. He also said action would be taken against those glorifying Kishenji, on the basis of documents and videos in the possession of the government. ‘Kishenji red salute’ will not be allowed at Jadavpur. We have all the documents. Action will be taken,” Mr. Adhikari told reporters at state secretariat Nabanna.

The developments come amid recent clashes between ABVP and Left-leaning students, during which the emblem of the university at one of the gates was also damaged.

At around 2 a.m. on Thursday (August 20, 2026), ABVP supporters armed with lathis and sticks stormed inside the university campus and tore down and set on fire posters of the Left student unions, alleging that their supporters were assaulted by members of the Left student unions over a general body meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union (FETSU). Later that day, supporters of both groups held rallies inside and outside the university campus, and police put up barricades to prevent rival factions from clashing.

Following the development at least four FIRs have been lodged at the local police station. While Ms Mukherjee lodged an FIR against Left students for assaulting the ABVP students, the university authority also lodged an FIR over the vandalisation and ruckus at the campus by a mob from outside the campus. Meanwhile, SFI and ABVP themselves also lodged two cross FIRs against each other. 

Even after five days of the clash, the campus remained tense as both the students’ groups hold rallies on Monday and made several demands to the VC. Meanwhile the police on Tuesday also visited the campus and questioned the registrar of the university Selim Box Mandal whom the RSS-affiliated teachers’ body of the university accused of leaking confidential information of the university to outsiders. 

However, the chief minister said the situation at the university, which recently witnessed clashes between ABVP and Left students, was normal and classes were being held. “Everything is normal in Jadavpur. Classes were held today as well. There is no problem,” he said.

CM is also all set to visit the JU campus on Friday (August 28, 2026) and sing Vande Mataram with the students to ‘instill the spirit of nationalism’, said the officials from the ABVP.