Clash at Kolkata film institute leaves students, teachers injured

A clash broke out on Sunday at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata between students and members of the right-wing consumer organisation Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), leaving several people injured. Both sides accused each other of assault. Students alleged that ABGP members called them 'anti-national', 'cockroaches', and 'urban Naxals', and manhandled female students. The ABGP denied the allegations, saying its members were attacked without provocation and that it had paid Rs 15,000 and obtained permission to hold the event.

An institute teacher claimed he and colleagues were assaulted when they tried to intervene. The SRFTI Student Union said around 150 students were present and alleged they were surrounded by goons. The ABGP said four of its members were hospitalised. Police were deployed outside the campus, and an SRFTI official said the situation was under control with no serious injuries reported. Students demanded that FIRs be registered and staged a protest around a police vehicle. The clash comes weeks after similar violence at Jadavpur University.