Adhikari calls ‘Free Palestine’, ‘Break Fascism with Red’ graffiti at Jadavpur University anti-national, seeks action
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Slogans such as “Free Palestine”, “Freedom for Palestine”, “Break Fascism with Red”, and “Long Live the CPI (Maoists)”, found on the premises of a boys’ hostel at Jadavpur University (JU), drew criticism from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who described the graffiti as “objectionable, sociopathic, violent and anti-national” and urged the university authorities to take action against those responsible.
Sharing a video of the graffiti found inside the Arts Division Boys’ Hostel on Monday, Adhikari termed it “deranged propaganda”, reflecting “anti-national” sentiments being promoted inside an educational institution.
He argued that since educational institutions are sacred spaces of learning, academic excellence, and nation-building, they should not be used for spreading what he described as anti-national or divisive messages.
The Chief Minister asked the JU vice-chancellor, the principal secretary of the Higher Education Department, and other competent authorities to conduct an immediate inquiry and physically verify whether the graffiti was present at the location shown in the video.
Adhikari said that if the writings were found, those behind them should be identified and action taken, besides calling for the graffiti to be removed and accountability to be fixed, along with “strict administrative and legal action” against those responsible.
The controversy comes amid continuing tension at the university following violent clashes between ABVP and SFI supporters. Left students have alleged that saffron groups attacked them with the backing of the ruling party, while the university administration and student groups remain divided over how to bring the situation under control.
