'Azad Kashmir' and 'Free Palestine' graffiti sparks political firestorm at Jadavpur University

A fresh political storm has erupted at Kolkata’s Jadavpur University after graffiti reading ‘Azad Kashmir’ and ‘Free Palestine’ appeared near the institution’s gate number three.

While the origins of the graffiti remain unknown, the messages have sparked a heated exchange between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Left-affiliated student groups, adding to the already charged atmosphere on campus.

The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the student wing of the ruling TMC, swiftly pointed fingers at ‘ultra-left outfits.’ “Some ultra-left student groups are behind this, and more such graffiti can be spotted across campus,” claimed Kishalay Roy, TMCP’s Jadavpur University unit president, according to PTI news agency.

However, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), linked to the CPI(M), has firmly denied any involvement. Abhinaba Basu, an SFI leader at JU, distanced his group from the controversy. “We don’t support secessionist views, though we stand against the repression of minorities in BJP-ruled states.” Basu said, adding that the SFI maintains a clear position on the Palestine issue. He refused to be drawn into the larger controversy.

Tensions rise after student injuries

The graffiti row comes at a time when Jadavpur University has been grappling with student protests following a March 1 incident in which two students were injured after being grazed by vehicles in Education Minister Bratya Basu’s convoy. The episode triggered a wave of demonstrations, with students demanding accountability from the state government. An FIR has been lodged against Basu and TMC leader Om Prakash Mishra over the alleged violence.

Further complicating the situation, a section of students and faculty expressed concerns over the reported entry of plainclothes police officers on campus. Activists from SFI, AIDSO, and faculty unions such as JUTA and ABUTA claimed that around 30 police personnel, dressed in civilian attire, entered the university shortly after Om Prakash Mishra arrived on campus.

'Campus should be free from intimidation'

The presence of police personnel inside the university premises sparked further outrage. “Students became agitated upon spotting plainclothes policemen, especially after Mishra’s arrival,” said SFI leader Souryadipto Roy. Protesters chanted slogans demanding that the university be freed from what they described as intimidation tactics by the ruling party and state authorities.

“We refuse to participate in any discussion with the administration until the police personnel leave,” Roy added.

Om Prakash Mishra, who had previously faced backlash from students following the March 1 protests, claimed ignorance about the police presence, stating that he had not sought any security for his visit. “I don’t need security in my own university among my own students and fraternity,” he insisted.

A senior university official also denied having prior knowledge of the police presence, stating, “Police have been stationed outside the campus since March 1 to maintain vigil, but we had no information about them entering university premises.”

The bigger picture

Jadavpur University has long been a hotbed of political activism, and this latest controversy only adds to its legacy of heated ideological clashes. While the ‘Azad Kashmir’ and ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti have sparked a war of words, the larger battle over student rights, campus autonomy, and state intervention continues to rage on.

With political tensions escalating and student protests showing no signs of abating, all eyes remain on the next moves by the administration, student bodies, and the state government.