The SFI's Jadavpur University (JU) unit on Sunday (August 23, 2026) asserted that nobody could question the students' love for the country, a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleged the presence of "tukde-tukde" gang and the "raising of pro-azaadi slogans" on the campus.

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Mr. Adhikari, while addressing Annapurna Bhandar beneficiaries in his Bhabanipur constituency, had on Saturday (August 22, 2026) alleged that Vande Mataram is not sung on the campus, the national flag is not hoisted, Education Department officials are prevented from entering it and CCTV cameras are not allowed to be installed.

Amid recent clashes between Left students and RSS-affiliated ABVP workers on the campus, the CM asserted that his government would promote nationalism on the JU campus and beyond, and that if one wanted to reside in West Bengal, he or she would have to sing the national song.

The JU unit of SFI, the students' wing of CPI(M), said in an open letter to the CM, "We strongly oppose this mindset. You [CM] said the national flag is not hoisted in Jadavpur University. It appears you are being fed wrong information."

"You also claimed that CCTV cameras are not installed... but the incidents of August 19 night [ABVP-Left clash], when outsiders entered the campus, vandalised it and set fires, have been captured on CCTV cameras. Do you still want to claim that all of this is false? We hope you will answer," it said.

On the CM's claim about the presence of "anti-national elements" on the campus, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) said that there may be ideological differences between various student organisations, but when it comes to love for the country, there is no disagreement and there has been no difference.

"Nobody can question our love for the country," it asserted.

Attacking the CM and the BJP, SFI said, "We have ideological differences with you and your party. Let those differences remain. The struggle between us will become sharper in the coming days. But does that mean Jadavpur should be labelled as a 'den of terrorists'?"

On the alleged desecration of the JU emblem during the August 20 protests, the student wing of CPI(M) said, "The emblem of Jadavpur University was designed by renowned artist Nandalal Bose, and it is also a symbol of Indian culture. Would you break that emblem in front of your sons and daughters?" The SFI also invited the CM to the campus for exchanging views and having a healthy debate.

Recalling the incidents of August 19 night, SFI said, "On that night, when darkness had descended over Jadavpur, an armed mob came to attack us. They came to burn us and beat us. But please do not allow your political differences to hurt the cultural creation of people like Nandalal Bose. Do not hurt Jadavpur, which has been a stronghold of the freedom movement."

Flagging infrastructure ills plaguing the university, the student outfit said, "The condition of our laboratories is not good. The libraries are also in a very poor state. The classrooms need development. As a result, the overall infrastructure of the university needs improvement."

"We want the government to stand by us in this regard. If Jadavpur University develops, it will not only enhance the image of Jadavpur; it will also bring glory to the educational system and cultural landscape of the entire state. We hope that you and your ministers will look at these issues with an open mind," it added.

Published - August 23, 2026 07:24 pm IST