Students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) attended classes on Monday as police maintained a presence outside its main gate, a day after a clash between a section of students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) left several people injured.
Three FIRs have been registered at Panchasayar police station in connection with the violence. While police lodged one case suo motu, two others were filed on complaints by ABGP functionary Anjan Sinha and SRFTI Dean Sukanta Majumdar. An institute official said outsiders had dispersed and classes had resumed, although tension remained on the campus following Sunday’s confrontation.
Three cases filed
In his complaint, Sinha alleged that ABGP members were manhandled by students while the organisation was holding a programme in the SRFTI auditorium after obtaining permission from the authorities. He also alleged that students damaged pictures of Bharat Mata and Swami Vivekananda, broke the windshield of a car and prevented ABGP members from leaving the campus.
Majumdar and the SRFTI students’ union, however, alleged that outsiders attacked students and faculty members with sharp-edged weapons, rods and brickbats. They also alleged that faculty members were called “Pakistanis” and “anti-nationals”, hurting their patriotic sentiments.
Police vehicle damaged
In its suo motu case, police alleged that personnel were prevented from entering and leaving the campus while performing their duties and that the windscreen of a police vehicle was damaged during the unrest.
Both sides have accused each other of initiating the violence. Students held another demonstration on the campus on Monday, protesting Sunday’s incident and demanding action against those they alleged were responsible for the attack.
Row over event
The confrontation began after a section of students objected to the presence of outsiders and questioned the institute authorities over allowing an organisation with right-wing links to hold a programme on campus.
The students’ association alleged that speakers at the programme delivered “highly provocative speeches” and that students were described as “anti-national”, “urban Naxals” and “terrorists”. It also alleged that female students were manhandled during the confrontation and that some ABGP members subsequently attacked students with knives.
The association claimed four students suffered serious injuries and several others were hurt. These allegations have been disputed by the ABGP.
ABGP rejects charges
The ABGP alleged that its members were attacked without provocation after students disrupted its programme and tore posters and banners, including images of Bharat Mata and Swami Vivekananda. ABGP state president Pankaj Roy described the programme as an event intended to celebrate consumer rights with a “nationalist vision”.
The organisation also alleged that a group later gathered outside the institute, threw stones and threatened to enter the premises. It claimed the police response to the situation was inadequate.
FTII extends support
The students’ association of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, expressed solidarity with the SRFTI students and alleged that they had been assaulted while protesting an event organised by what it described as an “RSS-affiliated group”.
The FTII association questioned the decision to permit programmes it said had no relevance to film education without informing the wider student body. It also referred to a January 2024 confrontation at FTII in Pune while raising concerns over the presence of outside organisations at national film institutes.
Established by the Government of India in 1995 and named after filmmaker Satyajit Ray, SRFTI is one of the country’s premier institutions for education and training in cinema and television.