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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday issued a sharp warning over slogans such as “Kashmir Mange Azadi” and “Free Palestine” at Jadavpur University, saying forces raising such slogans would be “uprooted” and those insulting the saffron colour would be taught a lesson. His remarks came after he led a massive saffron-themed procession through south Kolkata amid an intensifying political confrontation over graffiti and student politics at the university.
Addressing supporters outside the campus, Adhikari said the march was a “caution” to those he accused of disrespecting saffron. He also targeted slogans including “Red Salute to Kishenji”, saying his government knew how to deal with those responsible. “We shall no more tolerate insult of the saffron,” he said, adding that anyone attempting to do so in the future would have to “think five times”.
Saffron march reaches Jadavpur
Adhikari led the three-km “Gerua Samman Yatra” from Golpark to the 8B bus stand near Jadavpur University, accompanied by monks, seers and hundreds of BJP supporters carrying saffron flags and chanting “Jai Shri Ram”. The BJP said the procession was organised to defend the “dignity” of saffron and highlight the values and traditions associated with the colour.
The march came amid heightened political tensions at Jadavpur University following clashes and an escalating graffiti battle between Left-backed student organisations and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Political slogans have repeatedly appeared on campus walls even after university authorities carried out a whitewashing exercise.
‘Free Palestine’ graffiti fuels row
The controversy intensified after “Free Palestine” slogans and a quotation from Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish reappeared on university walls within a day of some graffiti being removed. Adhikari had earlier questioned why “Free Palestine” was written on the campus, arguing that “Free PoK” should be displayed instead. ABVP activists subsequently painted slogans including “Free PoK”, “Free Aksai Chin” and calls for nationalism on university walls.
Student groups have defended political graffiti as an expression of free speech and accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to impose their ideology on the campus. University authorities, meanwhile, have urged students to use designated spaces for graffiti and sought to keep political confrontations from disrupting academic activity.
Gita, Hanuman Chalisa events planned
Adhikari said Wednesday’s march would not be his last mobilisation around Jadavpur University. He announced that he intended to return twice — once for a Gita recitation and again for a Hanuman Chalisa programme — escalating the political and ideological battle surrounding the institution.
The latest confrontation follows a large “Vande Mataram” programme held outside the university less than a fortnight ago, which Adhikari also attended. With the BJP government sharpening its attack on what it describes as “anti-national” activity on campuses and student groups resisting political intervention, Jadavpur University has emerged as a major flashpoint in Bengal politics.
