CAMPUS FLAG DISPUTE SPARKS SFI-ABVP CLASH AT SOUTH CALCUTTA LAW COLLEGE

September 25, 2026

KOLKATA: A clash broke out between members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at South Calcutta Law College on Friday following a dispute over the installation of organisational flags on the campus, college officials said.

The confrontation reportedly began with slogan-shouting by members of the two student groups over the flags and later spilled into an SFI general body meeting. Both organisations accused each other of initiating the altercation. ABVP alleged that its members were attacked by SFI activists, while SFI accused ABVP members of assaulting its women activists.

SFI spokesperson Satyajit Bhandari said the college authorities had been informed about ABVP flags being put up on campus and that SFI members subsequently installed some flags of their own. He alleged that the confrontation followed the removal of those flags by ABVP members. ABVP leader Ananta Barui, however, alleged that SFI supporters, including outsiders, entered the campus and attacked its members.

College vice-principal Dr Nayna Chatterji reiterated that no organisational flag would be permitted on the premises. Police personnel reached the campus after the altercation and brought the situation under control. There was no immediate official confirmation of any formal complaint being filed by either side.

The incident has renewed attention on the Kasba-based institution, which came under scrutiny following allegations of the rape of a 24-year-old law student on the campus in June 2025. Three men were subsequently arrested in connection with that case, according to police.