CAMPUS SHUTDOWN, HOSTEL EVICTION: SRFTI SUSPENDS CLASSES UNTIL NOVEMBER 13 AMID STUDENT PROTEST CRISIS
October 17, 2026
KOLKATA, OCTOBER 17, 2026: The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata has suspended regular academic activities until November 13 and directed students to vacate hostels and other institute premises within 24 hours, intensifying an ongoing confrontation between the administration and students protesting alleged attacks on campus.
The order was issued at 6 pm on Friday and signed by registrar Deepak Kumar. Citing the approaching festive period and associated administrative requirements, the institute directed that regular academic activities in its film wing and electronic and digital media wing remain suspended until November 13, unless the competent authority decides otherwise. Hostel mess services have also been ordered to remain suspended until that date.
The directive warns that students who deliberately obstruct official functioning or violate lawful instructions could face disciplinary or legal action. Deans, department heads, hostel wardens, the security officer and other officials have been instructed to implement the order and document instances of non-compliance.
The decision came a day after the institute rusticated six students over allegations of manhandling, heckling and verbally abusing vice-chancellor Santosh Ajmera during a protest on Thursday. Students have disputed the administration’s account and maintained that their demonstrations were peaceful.
The student agitation began after alleged attacks on students on September 27, reportedly involving supporters of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat. Students subsequently accused supporters of the Hindu Jagran Manch of attempting to storm the institute’s entrance on October 4. At least four students were reportedly injured in the incidents.
Students began boycotting classes on September 28, demanding accountability for the alleged attacks and raising concerns about campus security. At a news conference on Friday, they accused the administration of taking punitive action against protesters rather than ensuring that those responsible for the alleged violence were held accountable.
Sudip Chakraborty, a student, questioned the decision to require students to leave the residential campus, arguing that they had protested against the alleged attacks and had not heckled the vice-chancellor. Other students similarly criticised the administration’s response and said the rustications and additional restrictions would not compel them to resume classes.
The hostel evacuation order has created particular difficulties for students who travelled to Kolkata from different parts of the country to study at the residential institute. One student, Tarique, said he had remained on campus since September 27 because he felt unsafe in rented accommodation and would now have to leave the hostel.
Students have also raised concerns about the broader impact of the security situation on their education and filmmaking activities. They said that following the successive incidents, they had struggled to invite actors to participate in their short films because prospective visitors were hesitant to come to the campus.
The institute’s vice-chancellor, Santosh Ajmera, said his responsibility as a public servant was to uphold the Constitution and preserve SRFTI’s vision as an institution dedicated to creativity, artistic values and individual talent. He maintained that his focus remained on the welfare of the institute and its academic community.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has constituted a special investigation team to examine the September 27 incident. Campus sources said the team was also investigating the October 4 episode. The team has submitted its first report, but no arrests had been made at the time of the report.
The shutdown and evacuation directive mark a significant escalation in the dispute, placing academic continuity, student accommodation and campus safety at the centre of the confrontation. While the administration has cited regulatory and administrative requirements for its decision, students insist that the underlying allegations of attacks and security failures remain unresolved.
With classes suspended until November 13 and students ordered to leave within 24 hours, the immediate challenge is whether the institute can address the security concerns and restore confidence among students while the investigation into the alleged attacks continues
