Overview
- Supporters of SFI and ISF blocked Sayantan Basu’s car and chanted against his presence while ABVP supporters countered, leading to clashes on campus after protesters tried to stop Basu from entering.
- Police moved in and escorted Basu into Bhangar College under protection, an action that student groups say involved officers scaling the boundary wall and using lathicharge to disperse demonstrators.
- Each side has lodged competing charges: SFI accused police of protecting BJP and RSS interests and questioned Basu’s selection for the governing body, while ABVP said its students were assaulted by rivals.
- The confrontation on Monday follows a September 14 clash at the same college between ISF and ABVP supporters that reportedly left at least eight students injured and left tensions unresolved.
- College authorities and local police now face pressure to prevent further violence, and observers say the episode highlights wider fights in West Bengal over political influence on autonomous campus bodies.