ABVP rally at Jadavpur University today: Security tightened amid tension
Synopsis
ABVP is marching through south Kolkata demanding an end to Leftist dominance at Jadavpur University — a campus that has resisted political takeover for decades, surviving even 15 years of TMC rule. With two student clashes already logged last week and a probe committee now headless, today's rally is the latest flashpoint in a deepening ideological battle over one of India's most storied universities.
Key Takeaways
ABVP is holding a rally on 24 August from Dhakuria Crossing to Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand , demanding an end to 'anti-national Leftist activities' at Jadavpur University .
Kolkata Police have tightened security along the route following two ABVP-SFI clashes last week that left several students injured.
The three-member probe committee investigating the clashes is in jeopardy after its head, Subha Shankar Sarkar , expressed unwillingness to continue.
JU authorities must now either replace Sarkar or reconstitute the panel with entirely new members.
Jadavpur University has been a Left-dominated campus for decades; even TMC failed to gain student-body control during its 15-year rule in West Bengal (2011–2026) .
Kolkata's Jadavpur University (JU) is on high alert on Monday, 24 August, as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) prepares to march through the area demanding an end to what it has called 'anti-national Leftist activities' on campus. Kolkata Police have deployed heavy security along the rally route as a precautionary measure following two rounds of clashes between student groups last week.
Rally Route and ABVP's Position
The march is scheduled to begin at Dhakuria Crossing in south Kolkata and conclude at Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand, passing alongside the sprawling JU campus. ABVP leadership has stated publicly that the rally will remain peaceful and that participants will not attempt to enter the university premises. Despite these assurances, police are leaving nothing to chance, given the volatile backdrop of recent confrontations.
Background: Clashes Between ABVP and SFI
Tensions escalated sharply last week after ABVP activists and members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s student wing, the Students' Federation of India (SFI), clashed twice on campus, leaving several students from both sides injured. The incidents have drawn attention to a long-standing ideological contest for influence over one of West Bengal's most prominent universities.
Probe Committee in Limbo
The JU authorities are expected to announce the status of a three-member probe committee formed to investigate the clashes, but its future is now in question. Subha Shankar Sarkar, former vice-chancellor of Netaji Subhas Open University and head of the panel, communicated his unwillingness to continue in the role via a formal communication to the university administration.
The remaining two members are Arunasish Goswami, vice-chancellor of Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University, and Soumendu Chattopadhyay, Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Presidency University. The administration now faces a choice: find a replacement for Sarkar as committee head, or reconstitute the panel entirely with fresh members.
JU's History as a Leftist Stronghold
For decades, Jadavpur University has functioned as one of India's most entrenched Left-leaning campuses — often compared to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. Notably, even during the 15-year tenure of Mamata Banerjee's government in West Bengal from 2011 to 2026, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) failed in repeated attempts to wrest control of student bodies at JU. The current ABVP push represents a renewed challenge to that established order.
What Happens Next
The outcome of today's rally and the university's decision on the probe committee will be critical in determining whether tensions de-escalate or intensify further. Campus authorities, student groups, and police are all watching closely as JU finds itself at the centre of a broader contest over campus politics in West Bengal.
Point of View
Yet ABVP is now attempting what the ruling party could not. The collapse of the probe committee before it has even begun its work is a troubling signal: if the university cannot sustain an independent inquiry after two rounds of violence, it sets a poor precedent for accountability. The real question is not who controls the campus today, but whether institutional processes can hold under sustained political pressure from all sides.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ABVP holding a rally at Jadavpur University today?
The ABVP is marching on 24 August to demand an end to what it describes as 'anti-national Leftist activities' at Jadavpur University in Kolkata. The rally follows two clashes between ABVP and SFI activists on campus last week, in which students from both sides were injured.
What is the route of the ABVP rally near Jadavpur University?
The rally begins at Dhakuria Crossing in south Kolkata and ends at Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand. The route passes alongside the Jadavpur University campus, though ABVP has said participants will not attempt to enter the premises.
What happened to the Jadavpur University probe committee?
The three-member probe committee formed to investigate the ABVP-SFI clashes is now in doubt after its head, Subha Shankar Sarkar, communicated his unwillingness to lead the panel. JU authorities are expected to announce whether they will replace him or reconstitute the committee entirely.
Who are the members of the Jadavpur University probe committee?
The panel comprises Subha Shankar Sarkar (former vice-chancellor, Netaji Subhas Open University), Arunasish Goswami (vice-chancellor, Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University), and Soumendu Chattopadhyay (Director, IQAC, Presidency University). Sarkar has expressed reluctance to continue as head.
Why is Jadavpur University considered a Leftist stronghold?
Jadavpur University has been dominated by Left-leaning student unions for decades, drawing comparisons to JNU in New Delhi. Even during the 15-year Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal (2011–2026), all attempts to bring student bodies under TMC influence at JU reportedly failed.
