The students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata have issued a call for a nationwide campus protest on October 27. The move comes as the students’ ongoing agitation against what they describe as the “saffronisation of educational institutions” and the “growing suppression of dissent” entered its 28th day. During a press conference held on Sunday, student representatives invited student unions, colleges, and universities across the country to participate in the protest.
Shubham Waydande, the vice-president of the SRFTI students' union, stated that six students have been rusticated, and the institute has been closed down. Students reported being instructed to vacate their hostels by November 13, adding that power supply to classrooms had been disconnected and water filtration systems were no longer being maintained. Waydande, who is among those rusticated for three semesters, claimed that students are facing threats of further disciplinary action.
Addressing the broader implications of the protest, student representative Aaron P. Joy argued that these measures are intended to undermine constitutional principles. He alleged that authorities are attempting to dismantle spaces for opposition and criticism, warning that such actions could impact future generations. The student union’s demands include the revocation of student rustications, the conduct of student union elections, the enactment of the Rohith Vemula Act, and the withdrawal of the National Education Policy 2020, along with the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025.
In response, SRFTI Registrar Deepak Kumar issued a statement clarifying that Waydande is not eligible to represent the student body during his three-semester rustication. The administration emphasized that the statements made by rusticated individuals should not be viewed as representative of the entire student community. The institute maintained that disciplinary measures were taken in response to specific documented acts of misconduct, including vandalism, defacement of property, and physical assault.
The institute provided details regarding a 14-page report submitted by an internal investigation committee covering incidents between September 27 and October 24. According to the report, the Vice-Chancellor’s office sustained significant damage, including broken furniture and shattered windows. The investigation also alleged that water and air-conditioning lines were deliberately severed, and that the Vice-Chancellor’s office was occupied for two days. The report further noted claims of unauthorized entry and the damage of a portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera expressed the administration's commitment to maintaining the institute's academic integrity. He stated that SRFTI remains focused on its academic purpose and the nurturing of artistic skills. “The present situation must not overshadow the institute’s larger academic purpose or the interests of the student community as a whole,” Ajmera said, adding that the administration is working toward restoring normalcy and ensuring student safety.
The Dean’s Council, which includes Heads of Departments, the Dean, the Registrar, and members of a Fact-Finding Committee, reportedly recommended the disciplinary actions. The institute reiterated that these proceedings were based on violations of established bye-laws and standards of conduct, refuting claims that the actions were intended to suppress legitimate protest. As the campus remains closed, the student union continues to mobilize support for its upcoming national action, marking a significant escalation in the month-long standoff.
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