The Calcutta High Court is set to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a complete ban on outsiders entering university campuses across West Bengal, with a fresh plea moved before a division bench on Monday, 14 September 2026, requesting an urgent hearing. The PIL, already pending before the court, has gained renewed urgency following a series of clashes between rival student groups at multiple state universities.

Key Developments in Court

A fresh application was moved before the division bench of Justice Arijit Banerjee and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra, seeking expedited hearing of the pending PIL. According to court sources, the matter is scheduled to come up before the bench of Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty on 16 September.

Counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that unrestricted entry of outsiders — particularly at Jadavpur University in south Kolkata — has been a longstanding concern that has repeatedly led to disruptions for students. The petitioner's lawyer further submitted that fresh incidents of clashes among rival student factions have continued to emerge even after the original PIL was filed, underscoring the need for immediate judicial intervention.

What the PIL Demands

The petitioner has sought a blanket prohibition on the entry of outsiders not only at Jadavpur University but across all university campuses in West Bengal. The plea contends that the unchecked presence and activities of outsiders frequently disrupt the academic atmosphere and impede the normal functioning of educational institutions.

The PIL specifically takes note of recent incidents in which 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) were involved in two separate rounds of clashes at Jadavpur University, a premier institution known for its politically active campus culture.

Background: Campus Tensions in West Bengal

Tensions between competing student organisations are not new to West Bengal's universities. Jadavpur University, in particular, has a long history of political mobilisation and has seen periodic flare-ups between student unions backed by different political parties. The SFI is aligned with the CPI(M)-led Left Front, while the ABVP is associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This places the clashes squarely within Bengal's broader political rivalry.

Notably, the PIL was filed prior to the latest incidents, suggesting that concerns about outsider interference in campus spaces predated the current wave of violence. The petitioner argues that repeated disturbances point to a systemic failure rather than isolated incidents.

What Happens Next

With the matter scheduled before the Chief Justice's bench on 16 September, the court could either take up the PIL for an expedited hearing or direct the case to follow the regular schedule. If the court grants urgency, it may issue interim directions — potentially restricting outsider access — pending a full hearing. The outcome could set a significant precedent for managing campus security and political activity in university spaces across the state.