Kolkata: The protest outside the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Mukundapur, Kolkata, escalated on Sunday as members of the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Mancha, also known as the Hindu Jagran Manch, marched from Ajaynagar to the institute’s gates. Demonstrators attempted to break through the institute’s gate amid heavy police deployment.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Members of the Hindu Jagran Manch hold a protest against students of SRFTI (Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute) in Mukundapur. Members of the Hindu Jagran Manch attempted to break down the gate and enter the SRFTI premises. Heavy police deployment at the spot.
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2026
The protesters alleged that SRFTI students had torn a photograph of Bharat Mata and insulted a photograph of Swami Vivekananda by kicking and spitting on it. They also accused the students of raising slogans in support of Pakistan. The allegations have not been independently verified.
“We aren't throwing anything from this side. The protest will go on until they leave. They abused Swami Vivekananda; they chant ‘Pakistan Zindabad’—that won't work here,” a Hindu Jagran Manch member said.
Hindu Jagran Manch member Anand Sahoo alleged that those involved had “torn the photo of Bharat Mata” and “kicked the photo of Vivekananda”.
“They are dividing the country in the name of secularism. They are anti-national. Our demand is that these people should be removed from the country,” Sahoo said.
He further alleged that the students had disrespected the national flag and Swami Vivekananda and accused them of being “Pakistan lovers”.
Another member, Babita Prasad, said the organisation was protesting against what she described as “anti-national” activities.
“Today Bharat Mata's photo was kicked, spit was thrown, and Swami Vivekananda, who raised the stature of this country abroad and held his country in high esteem, his photo was kicked, and spit was thrown,” Prasad said.
She said the protest was intended to make people question “which country we live in and with whom we live”.
The protesters also recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the demonstration.
Hindu Jagran Manch member Sudhanshu Singh questioned the alleged use of the phrase “saffron is terrorism” in connection with Swami Vivekananda, asking how saffron clothing could be associated with terrorism or how a person wearing it could be described as a terrorist.
Another protester, Satish Singh, alleged that Vivekananda’s photograph had been insulted despite his contribution to West Bengal and the country. He said it was unbelievable that such a prominent figure could be kicked with their feet.
The protesters also alleged that stones and bottles were thrown during the confrontation. One protester said they could not rule out that stones had been thrown, but maintained that the demonstrators had remained restrained.
Meanwhile, a person identifying himself as a Kolkata Police Special Branch officer alleged that he was assaulted during the incident despite identifying himself as a police officer. He claimed that he suffered bleeding from his nose and mouth and that his mobile phone and watch went missing.
A protester denied that Hindu Jagran Manch members had assaulted police personnel, describing the demonstration as a spontaneous and unarmed protest over the alleged insult to Bharat Mata. He also claimed that the organisation had conducted its demonstrations within the framework of the Constitution and denied responsibility for any assault on police personnel.
(With inputs from ANI)
