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A new political controversy has erupted at Jadavpur University after the ultra-Left Revolutionary Students’ Front (RSF) symbolically named the venue of its recent state conference after three senior Maoist leaders killed by security forces. The three-day conference, held from 24 to 26 November at the university’s Vivekananda Auditorium, referred to Jadavpur as “Hidma Nagar”, Kolkata as “Koteswar Rao Nagar”, and the auditorium as “Basavaraju Auditorium”. The row intensified after a graffiti appeared on a campus wall proclaiming, “Long live Comrade Basav Raju”, further fuelling allegations that the event glorified slain Maoist commanders.
The move triggered sharp criticism from other student organisations, who accused RSF of glorifying individuals responsible for violent insurgency. The Maoist leaders invoked during the event, Koteswar Rao alias Kishenji, Madvi Hidma and Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, were high-ranking members of the CPI (Maoist), all killed in anti-insurgency operations in 2011, and 2025. The row comes at a time when the Indian government has escalated its counter-insurgency operations, declaring a push to eliminate Maoist armed groups by March 2026.
RSF general secretary Tathagata Roy Chowdhury rejected allegations of unlawful activity, stating that the naming was “purely symbolic” and not linked to advocacy of secessionism. “There was no discussion or debate that may suggest any secessionist or anti-national activity,” he said to News Drum. “Those who worked and lived among the poor, sacrificing material comforts, bright careers and secure jobs, should be remembered by us.” He further argued that raising questions about the rights of indigenous communities did not equate to opposition to the nation.
According to reports, the conference also featured representatives from other radical outfits, including the Sangrami Shramik Manch, Sangrami Krishak Manch and the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners. According to attendees, the event opened with a minute’s silence in memory of the three Maoist commanders, whom RSF described as “martyrs”.
The episode has provoked furious reactions from the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), which submitted a letter to Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya demanding an immediate ban on RSF’s activities on campus. TMCP president Kishalay Roy, who submitted the letter to the VC’s office, said, “This cannot keep happening on campus. If the authorities do not act, we will whitewash the walls that bear these graffiti.”
The letter accuses RSF of undertaking “anti-constitutional activities”, promoting violence through posters and artwork, and “intentionally radicalising students towards violent acts”. It also alleges the presence of outsiders at the conference, which TMCP claims is a violation of High Court directives restricting external political events within campus premises. The TMCP letter demands two immediate actions that include, banning RSF as an operative student organisation, and blocking any future permission for RSF events in university spaces.
Somsurya Banerjee of the right-leaning Nationalist Students’ Front and BJYM NaMo Yuva Warriors accused RSF members of “promoting separatism” in the guise of advocating for Adivasi rights. “These are anti-nationals and separatists,” Banerjee alleged. He claimed that several RSF activists had criminal cases against them, and alleged that “some attendees at the conference are known to be active fighters or spies for armed Maoist groups”. According to Banerjee, the administration is aware of the security concerns. “The VC has been informed. The High Court has ordered installation of a police outpost inside campus and increased CCTV surveillance. We are worried and scared for our safety,” he said.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), another major Left organisation on campus, distanced itself from Maoist ideology but criticised the state’s handling of alleged Maoist sympathisers. Abhinava Basu, an SFI representative, said, “What is being promoted today in the name of Maoism has little connection with Mao’s actual ideas. SFI holds a clear political disagreement with those who follow such a line. However, the BJP and its ally, the Trinamool government, have carried out repeated extrajudicial attacks on people labelled as Maoists and arrested Left activists on mere suspicion.” He added pointedly, “The government should first identify the sons of Godse, the murderer of Gandhi, before questioning who is being celebrated.”
None of these allegations have been independently verified, nor has RSF responded to the specific claims. Vice-Chancellor Bhattacharya could not be reached for comment, and the university administration yet to respond.
