Chaos at SRFTI: SFI and Grahak Panchayat Clash in Kolkata
Violence erupted at Kolkata's SRFTI as SFI members clashed with Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat during a government consumer event.
A sudden eruption of violence shook the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) campus in Kolkata when members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat engaged in a heated confrontation. The clash occurred during a scheduled event hosted by the Grahak Panchayat within the institute's auditorium, turning a formal program into a scene of intense tension.
The Spark: Dispute Over Campus Access
The unrest reportedly began when students raised objections regarding the presence of external groups on the college premises. The core of the dispute centered on how outsiders were permitted to enter the campus to organize a program, leading to a direct confrontation between the student body and the event organizers.
As the disagreement escalated, the situation spiraled into a physical clash between the SFI members and the representatives of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat. The intensity of the fight caused significant alarm, necessitating the arrival of a heavy police presence to secure the area outside the SRFTI gates.
Allegations of Violence and Targeting
Following the incident, representatives from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) voiced strong condemnation of the students' actions. Speaking to the media, Indranil Mukherjee claimed that the event being held was a regular Government of India consumer-related program, noting that SRFTI itself is a central government unit.
Mukherjee leveled serious accusations against the student protesters, describing them as "ultra-Leftists" who targeted attendees of the program. He provided a harrowing account of the chaos, alleging the following:
- Disruption of Program: The event, which had been running since the morning, was forcibly halted by the students.
- Targeting Attendees: Claims were made that students forced attendees out of the campus.
- Violence Against Civilians: Mukherjee alleged that women and children were beaten during the confrontation.
"We saw on TV that these students had forced everyone out of the campus, declaring that the event would not be allowed to continue," Mukherjee stated, adding that they had sought police intervention to ensure safety.
Current Situation
While the atmosphere remains tense, a large contingent of police remains stationed at the institute to prevent further escalation. As of now, the full extent of the injuries or the specific sequence of the physical altercation remains under investigation. Further details regarding the official response from the SRFTI administration and the police are awaited.