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SRFTI students protest in Kolkata over campus security and vice-chancellor

Kolkata, West Bengal, India · since Sep 28, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 19 and counting, since Sep 28.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Students are protesting against campus violence, alleged intimidation by outside groups, and the vice-chancellor's handling of these issues.
What they want
The resignation of the vice-chancellor, revocation of disciplinary notices, and an independent inquiry into campus violence.
What changed
Oct 15: The institute rusticated six students following allegations of vandalism and the manhandling of the vice-chancellor.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Resignation of the vice-chancellor
  • Revocation of disciplinary notices
  • Independent inquiry into campus violence

Organised by: SRFTI Students' Union

What authorities say

The institute administration has rusticated six students and condemned the vandalism and alleged assault on the vice-chancellor, describing the actions as a threat to institutional discipline and safety.123

The full story

Students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata have been engaged in an academic shutdown and sit-in since September 28, 2026. The protest began following clashes involving members of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, an RSS-affiliated group. Students allege that the administration has failed to ensure campus safety and protect them from outside interference. The situation escalated on October 15 when the institute rusticated six students, including two union office-bearers, for allegedly vandalising the vice-chancellor's office and manhandling him. The vice-chancellor, Santosh Ajmera, has condemned the actions of the students as unacceptable and disruptive to academic life. The students' union continues to demand the vice-chancellor's resignation, the withdrawal of disciplinary actions, and an independent investigation into the recent violence on campus.

Timeline

  1. The vice-chancellor reported being manhandled and his office vandalised; the institute subsequently rusticated six students.123

  2. The students' union formally demanded the vice-chancellor's resignation and an independent inquiry.2

  3. The academic shutdown began following earlier clashes on campus.2

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