Kolkata SRFTI Clash: Students allege 'assault' during ABGP event, group denies charges

A clash broke out on Sunday between a section of students and members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata after students objected to a programme organised by the group on campus, according to PTI. Both sides accused each other of assault, while several people were reportedly injured.

The ABGP had hired the institute’s main auditorium after obtaining permission from the authorities for a programme scheduled from 12 pm to 4 pm, PTI reported. According to the news agency, trouble started after students questioned the presence of outsiders and objected to a private organisation holding a programme on the campus.

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SRFTI students allege assault

In a statement dated September 27, the SRFTI Students’ Union said its student body was not informed about the event before permission was granted. The union said students went to the Main Theatre at around 2 pm to put up posters questioning the institute’s decision to allow the programme.

The students’ union alleged that ABGP members confronted the students and attempted to remove the posters, after which the situation escalated into physical violence.

According to the union, students were verbally abused and attacked with “punches, kicks, stones, bricks, sticks and other objects”. It also alleged that students who took shelter inside the library were chased there and that the librarian was assaulted.

The union further alleged that students were chased across the campus, some had their clothes torn and there were incidents of phones being forcibly taken.

PTI reported that students also alleged that ABGP members used terms including “anti-national”, “urban Naxals” and “terrorists” against them and that female students were manhandled.

A student told a news channel, as quoted in the PTI report: “We were having our practical classes in the auditorium. When we saw people from outside holding a programme there, some of us protested and put up posters on the wall.”

The student alleged that members of the organisation then attacked them and that they escaped towards the hostel.

ABGP rejects allegations

The ABGP rejected the students’ allegations, claiming that its programme was disrupted after students tore posters and banners and attacked its members, PTI reported.

An ABGP member told reporters, according to PTI, that the organisation had paid Rs 15,000 to hire the auditorium and had obtained permission from the authorities.

“We had paid Rs 15,000 to hire the auditorium and had obtained permission from the authorities,” the ABGP member said, according to PTI. The member added that the organisation works mainly on consumer protection and awareness.

The ABGP member claimed that several members of the organisation were injured and that four had been admitted to hospital.

ABGP state president Pankaj Roy described the programme as an event to celebrate consumer rights with a “nationalist vision”, PTI reported. The organisation also alleged that a picture of Swami Vivekananda was damaged during the confrontation.

Police deployed as students protest

According to PTI, students later blocked the institute’s gates and staged a sit-in demanding action against those they alleged had attacked them.

The SRFTI Students’ Union separately said students gathered at the main theatre after the confrontation and that ABGP members were driven out of the venue. The union said police were alerted and reached the institute following the violence.

The union alleged that people remained outside the institute gate and attempted to enter the campus while throwing stones and bottles towards students inside.

An SRFTI official told PTI that authorities were monitoring the situation and that police had been deployed outside the campus. The official said there was no report of any serious injury to anyone, including students, and that the situation was under control.

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FTII students extend solidarity

The Students’ Association of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) issued a statement on September 27 expressing “unwavering support and solidarity” with SRFTI students.

In the statement, the FTII students’ body alleged that ABGP members attacked SRFTI students after they protested against the use of institutional facilities for the programme.

The FTII association alleged that students were attacked with “knives, lathis, and blunt objects” and that students who took shelter inside the library were chased. It also alleged that a staff member was assaulted.

The FTII students’ body further criticised the organisation of events it said were unrelated to film education and said theatres inside film institutes were meant for “academic screenings and discussions”.

The allegations made by the SRFTI Students’ Union, FTII Students’ Association and ABGP are claims by the respective organisations and could not be independently verified.