Jadavpur University anti-national graffiti: Bengal CM orders inquiry
Synopsis
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari has ordered Jadavpur University to investigate anti-national graffiti in its boys hostel — escalating an already volatile situation on campus where rival student groups clashed on 19-20 August, damaging a historic emblem designed by Nandalal Bose. With a fractured stakeholder meeting and unmet student demands, the university's crisis is deepening on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on 24 August directed Jadavpur University to probe anti-national graffiti found inside the Arts Division Boys Hostel .
The CM shared a video of the graffiti on X and invoked West Bengal's 'Zero Tolerance Policy' on anti-national activities in educational institutions.
Clashes between SFI and ABVP activists on 19 and 20 August damaged the university's historic emblem designed by painter Nandalal Bose ; it was repaired on 21 August .
Former Justice Pranab Kumar Chatterjee will head an inquiry committee into the clashes, with the first meeting on 27 August .
An all-stakeholder peace meeting on Monday collapsed after ABVP walked out; students pressed four unresolved demands including suspension of those seen in CCTV footage.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday, 24 August directed Jadavpur University authorities to launch a formal inquiry into what he described as objectionable, violent, and anti-national wall graffiti and drawings found inside the Arts Division Boys Hostel premises in south Kolkata. The directive came after the Chief Minister's Office received videos and photographs submitted through the CM's Grievance Cell by students of the university.
What the Chief Minister Said
Sharing a video of the graffiti in a post on X, Adhikari stated that the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had received 'concerning videos and photographic representations through the CM's Grievance Cell from conscientious students of Jadavpur University, reporting instances of objectionable, sociopathic, violent and anti-national wall graffiti and drawings inside the Arts Division Boys Hostel premises.'
He asserted that educational institutions are 'sacred spaces of learning, academic excellence and nation-building,' and that campus premises must not be used as platforms for spreading propaganda and anti-India sentiment. Adhikari invoked the West Bengal government's stated 'Zero Tolerance Policy' towards anti-national activities, particularly in educational institutions.
Action Demanded
The Chief Minister urged the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University, the Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department, and other competent authorities to initiate an immediate inquiry, beginning with on-ground verification of the hostel area. He specified that if the graffiti is confirmed, those responsible must be identified, the content removed, accountability fixed, and strict administrative and legal action initiated.
Background: Campus Clashes and Inquiry Committee
The graffiti row emerges in the aftermath of clashes on 19 and 20 August between activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) — the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) — and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) outside the Jadavpur University campus. The first confrontation occurred at the 8B Bus Stand crossing, while the second broke out in front of the university's main gate. During the second clash, the engraved emblem of Jadavpur University — designed by renowned painter Nandalal Bose — was damaged. The emblem was repaired and reinstalled at gate number four of the campus on 21 August.
Separately, Jadavpur University authorities constituted an inquiry committee to probe the 19 and 20 August incidents. Former Justice Pranab Kumar Chatterjee will head the panel, with its first meeting scheduled for 27 August.
Student Demands and Fractured Stakeholder Meeting
An all-stakeholder meeting convened on Monday to restore peace on campus ended inconclusively. The ABVP walked out midway, alleging inadequate representation, while a section of students held firm on four demands: removal of former Vice-Chancellor Buddhadeb Sau from the chairmanship of the Student Grievance Redressal Cell and suspension of his classes during the investigation; suspension of individuals identified in CCTV footage until the probe concludes; reconstitution of the existing inquiry committee; and inclusion of student representatives in the committee. The unresolved demands signal that tensions on campus remain far from settled.
What Comes Next
With the inquiry committee's first sitting set for 27 August, the coming days will test whether the university administration can balance the Chief Minister's directive, student demands, and the competing claims of rival student organisations. The episode has drawn renewed attention to the political fault lines that have long defined campus life at one of West Bengal's most prominent universities.
Point of View
And the simultaneous presence of SFI-ABVP clashes, a damaged heritage emblem, a stalled stakeholder meeting, and now a graffiti directive suggests the administration is responding to multiple crises reactively rather than with a coherent campus governance strategy. The risk is that heavy-handed action on the graffiti front inflames rather than resolves tensions, particularly if the inquiry is perceived as politically motivated rather than institution-driven.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What anti-national graffiti was found at Jadavpur University?
Videos and photographs submitted to the CM's Grievance Cell by students reportedly showed objectionable, violent, and anti-national wall graffiti and drawings inside the Arts Division Boys Hostel at Jadavpur University in Kolkata. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari shared one such video on X on 24 August.
What action has the West Bengal government taken over the Jadavpur University graffiti?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University, the Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department, and other authorities to initiate an immediate inquiry starting with on-ground verification. He warned that if the graffiti is confirmed, those responsible must be identified and strict administrative and legal action taken.
What were the SFI-ABVP clashes at Jadavpur University about?
Clashes between Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members broke out on 19 and 20 August outside the Jadavpur University campus. During the second confrontation, the university's engraved emblem — designed by painter Nandalal Bose — was damaged; it was repaired and reinstalled on 21 August.
Who is heading the Jadavpur University inquiry committee?
Former Justice Pranab Kumar Chatterjee is heading the inquiry committee formed by Jadavpur University authorities to probe the incidents of 19 and 20 August. The committee's first meeting is scheduled for 27 August.
What are the student demands at Jadavpur University?
Students at Jadavpur University have put forward four demands: removal of former Vice-Chancellor Buddhadeb Sau from the Student Grievance Redressal Cell chairmanship and suspension of his classes during the probe; suspension of individuals identified in CCTV footage; reconstitution of the inquiry committee; and inclusion of student representatives in the panel. These demands remained unresolved after Monday's stakeholder meeting, from which ABVP walked out.
