Tension gripped Jadavpur University in Kolkata after clashes broke out between supporters of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Left-leaning student groups, leaving several students injured and triggering protests on the campus.
The confrontation reportedly began over a general body meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students' Union held on Wednesday. The dispute continued late into the night and escalated into clashes between rival student groups during the early hours of Thursday.
Several students were injured during the violence, with some taken to a private hospital in Jadavpur for treatment. As tensions escalated, the university's administrative building, Aurobindo Bhavan, was locked, while groups of students gathered outside the premises.
The ABVP and Left student groups have traded allegations over the incident, with both sides accusing each other of bringing outsiders onto the university campus.
The ABVP alleged that supporters were confronted by members of Left student organisations, including the Students' Federation of India and DSO-DSF, during the meeting. An ABVP functionary claimed that a large group attacked its supporters and alleged the involvement of outsiders. The organisation said it was filing FIRs in connection with the violence.
The ABVP also questioned the legitimacy of the general body meeting, arguing that there is currently no active student union and that no notification regarding student elections has been issued by the university or the state government.
Left-leaning student groups rejected the allegations and instead accused the ABVP of bringing outsiders onto the campus. They alleged that ABVP supporters attempted to enter and take control of university spaces and were involved in vandalism during the confrontation.
Student groups also alleged that flags were pulled down and fires were lit at certain locations on the campus. University sources confirmed reports of fires at a few places during the early hours of Thursday.
Videos circulating on student social media groups showed groups raising slogans and attempting to enter locked university buildings as tensions continued.
The clashes disrupted normal activity at Jadavpur University, with rival student groups announcing separate protests. The ABVP announced a protest on the university campus, while the SFI called for a rally near the 8B bus stand.
Tension remained high as both sides continued to blame each other for the violence and alleged involvement of outsiders.
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