Graffiti being whitewashed at Jadavapur University.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Graffiti in Kolkata’s Jadavpur University was whitewashed after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issued a stern warning to weed out “anti-national” elements from within the campus. Slogans in support of Palestine and Maoist leader Kishenji were erased from the walls of the JU Arts hostel.
An older slogan on the open-air theatre that read, “Fascists do not deserve democracy. They deserve a bullet in the head,” was also covered with white paint. A portrait of American civil rights activist Audre Lorde was also erased. Graffiti and poster culture have been prevalent at Jadavpur University for decades and are inseparable from the politics of the university.
Emphasising that Jadavpur University was a reputed institution, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Friday (August 28, 2026) that he would not allow anti-national slogans anywhere. Mr. Adhikari also took a dig at some of the messages painted on the walls of the University.
“What Azadi do you want? ‘Kashmir Mange Azadi, ’ Mr. Adhikari said at a public meeting near the university. According to the Chief Minister, during Operation Sindoor, students held rallies not in support of the country but calling for a halt to the war. “Go write slogans calling for the surrender of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It is ours and it must be returned!” he added
“Varsity reticent
The university has said that the painting was part of regular cleaning and wants to avoid being drawn into any controversy. The painting over the graffiti started on Saturday (August 29, 2026) and continued until Sunday (August 30, 2026). There have been no protests against the development, though some students, particularly those associated with Left unions, have spoken against the move.
CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, a former Kolkata Mayor, criticised the move, saying campuses encourage free thinking. “Campuses are where young people are encouraged to think freely and exchange ideas. No whitewashing can stop that,” Mr. Bhattacharya said.
Jadavpur University emerged as the flashpoint of right- versus left-wing politics after a group of ABVP supporters forced their way onto the campus on August 19 and tried to destroy posters and burn flags of the Left union. The university has been on the boil since then.
Published – August 30, 2026 10:13 pm IST
