Bloodshed at Jadavpur University as ABVP and left groups clash, several injured

Several students were injured, and fires were reported on the Jadavpur University campus as a clash between ABVP and left-leaning student organisations plunged the institution into tension in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. 

The confrontation reportedly broke out around a general meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students' Union (FETSU), with rival student groups accusing each other of bringing outsiders onto the campus and provoking violence.

Videos circulating on WhatsApp showed a group of men attempting to force their way into locked facilities while raising slogans.

The situation subsequently escalated, with allegations of assaults, stone-pelting, attempted mob violence, and fires being reported from different parts of the campus.

Several people from both sides sustained injuries in the altercation.

Police personnel were rushed to the university premises to prevent the confrontation from escalating further.

The ABVP, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleged that members of the left-leaning SFI and DSO-DSF had orchestrated a planned attack under the guise of the FETSU general meeting. Shubhabrata Adhikari, a member of the ABVP central working committee, said FIRs were being lodged against several individuals, while some members of the organisation were protesting at Jadavpur Police Station.

On the other side, DSO members alleged that ABVP had brought outsiders into the university and resorted to vandalism during the confrontation.

Abhinav Das, a philosophy student and member of the Revolutionary Students' Front (RSF), alleged, 'The ABVP and NSF brought several outsiders to the FETSU general meeting.'

DSO State Committee secretary Biswajit Roy also accused sections of the ABVP and RSS of attempting to take control of the campus. 'Sections of the ABVP and RSS wreaked havoc in an attempt to seize the campus, tearing down flags, setting fires, and hurling abuse,' Roy said.

The violence also prompted concern over the condition of injured students.

MLA Sharbari Mukherjee visited KPC Medical College to check on students who were undergoing treatment following the clash.

With allegations flying from both sides, the incident has once again brought political tensions within the university into sharp focus.

Police intervention was required as the confrontation intensified, while the rival student organisations continued to trade accusations over who was responsible for triggering the violence.

The ABVP has announced a protest at 11 am on Thursday against the events of Wednesday night. Further FIRs and police action are expected to determine the course of the dispute as tensions remain high on the campus.