ProtestsUpdated 27 Oct 2026
In 30 seconds
Students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata have protested for weeks. They want the vice-chancellor to resign. The institute rusticated six students and says it acted on misconduct, not protest. Students deny this and plan a wider protest.
A clash broke out at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata on 2026-09-27. Students say outside groups attacked them. On 2026-10-12 students began a sit-in (a protest where they stay in one place) and asked Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera to resign. The institute then rusticated (sent away for a set time) six students and suspended classes.
SRFTI is a film school run under a Union ministry, so public money is involved. The row asks where a protest ends and misconduct begins on a campus. It also asks how safe students are when outside groups enter. Students have also lost class time.
Article 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b) and 19(1)(c) protect free speech, peaceful assembly and the right to form unions. Articles 19(2) to 19(4) let the State set reasonable limits. Our sources name no court ruling on this case. They also name no institute rule on rustication and no criminal charge.
Students say they protested without violence and that the rustications punish protest. The institute says it acted on vandalism and assault, not on protest. BJP leaders say actor Naseeruddin Shah, who backed the students, shows political bias. Shah says the BJP wants revenge on people who disagree.
Students plan a wider national protest from 2026-10-27. Classes stay suspended until 2026-11-13, the institute says. Our sources show no reply from Ajmera on the demand to resign. They show no appeal on the rustications and no court case. Students say they will go to court.
The causes and the earlier steps behind this issue.
A clash took place at an event on campus on 2026-09-27. Students say outside groups attacked them and again on 2026-10-04. They say the administration did not act, which raised anger at the vice-chancellor.
On 2026-10-12 students began a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor's office. They asked him to resign and wanted someone held to account for the violence. The sit-in put the two sides in direct conflict.
The institute says six students were rusticated over alleged misconduct, not protest. Students say the action punishes protest. This moved the dispute from campus safety to a fight over discipline.
Students plan a wider national protest across campuses.
Classes in the two departments stay suspended until this date, the institute says.
Hard words used on this page, in plain English.
What the law or the rule says, in plain words. This page says what the law says, not who is right.
Article 19(1)(a) protects the freedom of speech and expression. Article 19(2) lets the State set reasonable limits. Students link their protest to this right. The institute says it is enforcing campus discipline. Our sources show no court has applied it to this case.
Article 19(1)(b) protects the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Article 19(3) lets the State set reasonable limits. The institute says vandalism and violence cannot be excused as protest. Students deny any vandalism or assault. No court has ruled on this here.
Article 19(1)(c) protects the right to form associations or unions. Article 19(4) lets the State set reasonable limits. Students demand student union elections. Our sources show no SFRTI rule on this and no court ruling.
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Different views on this issue, in simple words. SocialWire shows them; it does not say which is right.
The strongest argument each side makes, the evidence it points to, and the weak point its critics raise. We do not say who is right.
The students say outside groups attacked them and the administration did not keep them safe. They say the rustications and the notice to leave hostels punish protest.
Evidence it cites
They point to the attacks on 2026-09-27 and 2026-10-04. They also say power was cut to a key classroom.
Weak point critics raise
The institute says some protesters were not peaceful and that the vice-chancellor was attacked and his office damaged.
Swipe through the issue, one card at a time.
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A clash broke out at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata on 2026-09-27. Students say outside groups attacked them. On 2026-10-12 students began a sit-in (a protest where they stay in one place) and asked Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera to resign. The institute then rusticated (sent away for a set time) six students and suspended classes.
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SRFTI is a film school run under a Union ministry, so public money is involved. The row asks where a protest ends and misconduct begins on a campus. It also asks how safe students are when outside groups enter. Students have also lost class time.
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Article 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b) and 19(1)(c) protect free speech, peaceful assembly and the right to form unions. Articles 19(2) to 19(4) let the State set reasonable limits. Our sources name no court ruling on this case. They also name no institute rule on rustication and no criminal charge.
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Students say they protested without violence and that the rustications punish protest. The institute says it acted on vandalism and assault, not on protest. BJP leaders say actor Naseeruddin Shah, who backed the students, shows political bias. Shah says the BJP wants revenge on people who disagree.
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Students plan a wider national protest from 2026-10-27. Classes stay suspended until 2026-11-13, the institute says. Our sources show no reply from Ajmera on the demand to resign. They show no appeal on the rustications and no court case. Students say they will go to court.
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Students rusticated by the institute: 6 Classes suspended in two departments until: 2026-11-13 Time given to leave hostels, per notice: 24 hours Points in the students' list of demands: 10 Campuses students say they are in contact with: 6 Date the wider student protest was planned: 2026-10-27
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Students say their protest rests on free speech and the right to form unions. The institute says it enforces campus discipline, not a ban on protest.
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Students say outside groups entered the campus and attacked them. The institute says its vice-chancellor and staff faced assault and an unsafe workplace.
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Protests and the administration dispute at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata have protested for weeks. They want the vice-chancellor to resign. The institute rusticated six students and says it acted on misconduct, not protest. Students deny this and plan a wider protest. TIMELINE 2026-09-27: A clash takes place on campus at an event on the SRFTI campus. Students say outside groups attacked them. 2026-10-04: Students say they faced a second attack, near the institute gate. 2026-10-12: Students begin a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor's office. They demand his resignation. 2026-10-16: The institute says it rusticated six students over alleged misconduct. It also suspends classes in two departments. 2026-10-24: Actor Naseeruddin Shah posts a video backing the students. 2026-10-25: Students say power was cut to a key classroom. The institute denies targeting protesters. Students call for a national campus protest. 2026-10-26: The institute replies to Shah's claims. Filmmakers Anand Patwardhan and Ashish Avikunthak also comment. 2026-10-27: Students plan a wider protest across other campuses. THE BASICS What happened? A clash broke out at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata on 2026-09-27. Students say outside groups attacked them. On 2026-10-12 students began a sit-in (a protest where they stay in one place) and asked Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera to resign. The institute then rusticated (sent away for a set time) six students and suspended classes. Why does it matter? SRFTI is a film school run under a Union ministry, so public money is involved. The row asks where a protest ends and misconduct begins on a campus. It also asks how safe students are when outside groups enter. Students have also lost class time. What do the law and the Constitution say? Article 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b) and 19(1)(c) protect free speech, peaceful assembly and the right to form unions. Articles 19(2) to 19(4) let the State set reasonable limits. Our sources name no court ruling on this case. They also name no institute rule on rustication and no criminal charge. What does each side say? Students say they protested without violence and that the rustications punish protest. The institute says it acted on vandalism and assault, not on protest. BJP leaders say actor Naseeruddin Shah, who backed the students, shows political bias. Shah says the BJP wants revenge on people who disagree. What is still undecided? Students plan a wider national protest from 2026-10-27. Classes stay suspended until 2026-11-13, the institute says. Our sources show no reply from Ajmera on the demand to resign. They show no appeal on the rustications and no court case. Students say they will go to court. FACTS AND FIGURES Students rusticated by the institute: 6 (Deccan Herald) Classes suspended in two departments until: 2026-11-13 (Deccan Herald) Time given to leave hostels, per notice: 24 hours (Deccan Herald) Points in the students' list of demands: 10 (ETV Bharat) Campuses students say they are in contact with: 6 (ETV Bharat) Date the wider student protest was planned: 2026-10-27 (The Indian Express) PERSPECTIVES Constitutional lens: Students say their protest rests on free speech and the right to form unions. The institute says it enforces campus discipline, not a ban on protest. - Students link their protest to freedom of expression. - Students demand elections for their student union. - The institute says punishment is for vandalism and assault. - Our sources show no court view on the question. Social lens: Students say outside groups entered the campus and attacked them. The institute says its vice-chancellor and staff faced assault and an unsafe workplace. - Students say they were attacked on 2026-09-27 and 2026-10-04. - Students say the administration did not keep them safe. - The institute says the vice-chancellor was attacked. - Both sides raise safety on campus. Argued benefit for India: Supporters of the students say a fair and safe campus protects the independence of young filmmakers. - They say students should be able to ask for accountability. - They say punishing protest can silence young artists. - Shah asks citizens to back the students' demands. Argued risk for India: The institute and its backers say order is needed so classes can run safely. They say political heat could harm students. - The institute says violence cannot be excused as protest. - Critics of Shah say his remarks inflame tension. - BJP leaders say his comments show political bias. HOW WE GOT HERE Clashes on campus: A clash took place at an event on campus on 2026-09-27. Students say outside groups attacked them and again on 2026-10-04. They say the administration did not act, which raised anger at the vice-chancellor. Sit-in and demand to resign: On 2026-10-12 students began a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor's office. They asked him to resign and wanted someone held to account for the violence. The sit-in put the two sides in direct conflict. Institute takes action: The institute says six students were rusticated over alleged misconduct, not protest. Students say the action punishes protest. This moved the dispute from campus safety to a fight over discipline. Public figures join: From 2026-10-24, Naseeruddin Shah and filmmakers backed the students. BJP leaders hit back. The row became a political argument, and students called for a national protest. EACH SIDE'S CASE Protesting students: The students say outside groups attacked them and the administration did not keep them safe. They say the rustications and the notice to leave hostels punish protest. - Evidence it cites: They point to the attacks on 2026-09-27 and 2026-10-04. They also say power was cut to a key classroom. - Weak point critics raise: The institute says some protesters were not peaceful and that the vice-chancellor was attacked and his office damaged. SRFTI administration: The institute says it punished specific acts such as vandalism, defacing property and assault. It says it did not punish protest. - Evidence it cites: It points to six rustications and to damage in the vice-chancellor's office. It denies cutting power to target protesters. - Weak point critics raise: Naseeruddin Shah and the students say the action is revenge on people who asked for accountability. BJP leaders: BJP leader Keya Ghosh says Shah's remarks show his own political bias. Other BJP leaders say he wants to weaken democracy. - Evidence it cites: Ghosh says students used offensive language on walls about the Prime Minister and Chief Minister. - Weak point critics raise: Shah says the BJP wants revenge after its Bengal win. Our sources give no further BJP reply to this. WHO IS SAYING WHAT Naseeruddin Shah (actor): Says the BJP wants revenge on those who disagree. Says students faced show-cause notices and were told to leave hostels. Anand Patwardhan (documentary filmmaker): Says in a headline quote that people must stand up and back the students. Our sources give no full text. Ashish Avikunthak (filmmaker): Weighed in on the row. Our sources give no details. Keya Ghosh (BJP leader): Says Shah's remarks show his political bias. Santosh Ajmera (SRFTI vice-chancellor): Is reported to have called for caution after the filmmakers spoke. India Today (news outlet): Asks why other well-known voices stayed silent on other causes. WHAT TO WATCH NEXT 2026-10-27: Students plan a wider national protest across campuses. 2026-11-13: Classes in the two departments stay suspended until this date, the institute says. Students say they will take legal action over the rustications. No case was found. Whether Vice-Chancellor Ajmera replies to the demand that he resign. WORDS EXPLAINED rusticated: Sent away from an institute for a set time as a punishment. vice-chancellor: The head of a university or institute. sit-in: A protest where people sit in one place and refuse to leave. show-cause notice: A written demand that a person explain their conduct. Article 19(1)(b): The part of the Constitution that protects the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Article 19(1)(a): The part of the Constitution that protects freedom of speech and expression. WHAT THE LAW SAYS Freedom of speech (Article 19(1)(a)): Article 19(1)(a) protects the freedom of speech and expression. Article 19(2) lets the State set reasonable limits. Students link their protest to this right. The institute says it is enforcing campus discipline. Our sources show no court has applied it to this case. Right to assemble peacefully (Article 19(1)(b)): Article 19(1)(b) protects the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Article 19(3) lets the State set reasonable limits. The institute says vandalism and violence cannot be excused as protest. Students deny any vandalism or assault. No court has ruled on this here. Right to form unions (Article 19(1)(c)): Article 19(1)(c) protects the right to form associations or unions. Article 19(4) lets the State set reasonable limits. Students demand student union elections. Our sources show no SFRTI rule on this and no court ruling. WHAT THE SOURCES SHOW Established: SRFTI is a film school in Kolkata under a Union ministry. Students have protested since late September 2026 and demand that Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera resign. The institute says it rusticated six students and suspended classes. Students plan a wider protest from 2026-10-27. Claimed by one side: Students and Naseeruddin Shah say outside groups attacked the campus and the action is revenge for protest. Claimed by the other side: The institute says it acted on vandalism and assault, not protest. BJP leaders say Shah is biased. Sources conflict on how many students were rusticated and on why the first clash began. Not yet decided: No court has ruled. Our sources show no appeal on the rustications, no ministry statement and no reply to the resignation demand. SOURCES Deccan Herald - https://www.deccanherald.com/education/srfti-says-six-students-rusticated-over-alleged-misconduct-not-protests-4195416 Hindustan Times - https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-naseeruddin-shah-alleges-vendetta-kolkata-film-institute-clarifies-on-students-rustication-srfti-disciplinary-action-101792984083425.html ETV Bharat - https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/kolkata-srfti-students-plan-nationwide-protests-from-october-27-over-campus-attacks-enn26102504795 The Hindu - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/srfti-students-allege-power-cut-amid-protest-institute-defends-disciplinary-action/article71623611.ece/amp/ The Indian Express - https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/naseeruddin-shah-anand-patwardhan-support-srftis-student-protests-we-must-stand-up-10937429/ Organiser - https://organiser.org/2026/10/26/420834/politics/srfti-row-bjp-leader-keya-ghosh-hits-back-at-naseeruddin-shah-questions-his-political-bias/ The Indian Express - https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/srfti-protest-nationwide-campus-protest-10936518/ The Times of India - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/after-naseeruddin-patwardhan-avikunthak-weigh-in-on-srfti-row-vc-calls-for-caution/articleshow/135215212.cms The Hindu - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/why-has-actor-naseeruddin-shah-come-out-in-support-of-srfti-student-protests/article71625946.ece The Pamphlet - https://thepamphlet.in/naseeruddin-shah-backs-rusticated-students-at-kolkata-film-institute-the-institute-states-vandalism-and-violence-cannot-be-excused-in-the-name-of-protest/ NDTV - https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/naseeruddin-shah-lying-about-film-institute-srfti-and-misleading-students-say-sources-12232057 The Times of India - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/srfti-students-allege-classroom-power-cut-amid-protest-institute-denies-targeting-protesters/articleshow/135201726.cms India TV News - https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/news/naseeruddin-shah-supports-srfti-students-after-campus-row-bjp-leaders-hit-back-at-actor-2026-10-26-1057953 The Hindu - https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/naseeruddin-shah-wants-to-weaken-democracy-in-country-bjp/article71624214.ece/amp/ India Today - https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/naseeruddin-shah-spoke-on-srfti-tm-krishna-for-tribals-but-why-are-other-voices-silent-3025437-2026-10-26 More: https://socialwire.in/issues/protests-and-the-administration-dispute-at-the-satyajit-ray
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From 2026-10-24, Naseeruddin Shah and filmmakers backed the students. BJP leaders hit back. The row became a political argument, and students called for a national protest.
Students say they will take legal action over the rustications. No case was found.
Whether Vice-Chancellor Ajmera replies to the demand that he resign.
Mixed (1)
Says in the caption that Naseeruddin Shah made a video supporting the students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.
Naseeruddin Shah made a video supporting students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television…
Supports (2)
Says in the caption that the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute is under severe attack by RSS and allied groups.
As you know the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute is under severe attack by RSS/…
Says the BJP wants revenge on people who disagree. Says students got show-cause notices and were told to leave hostels. Asks citizens to back the students.
The institute says it punished specific acts such as vandalism, defacing property and assault. It says it did not punish protest.
Evidence it cites
It points to six rustications and to damage in the vice-chancellor's office. It denies cutting power to target protesters.
Weak point critics raise
Naseeruddin Shah and the students say the action is revenge on people who asked for accountability.
BJP leader Keya Ghosh says Shah's remarks show his own political bias. Other BJP leaders say he wants to weaken democracy.
Evidence it cites
Ghosh says students used offensive language on walls about the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.
Weak point critics raise
Shah says the BJP wants revenge after its Bengal win. Our sources give no further BJP reply to this.
Experts, public figures and news outlets, in how they frame it. Each is listed with a source.
Naseeruddin ShahPublic figureactor
Says the BJP wants revenge on those who disagree. Says students faced show-cause notices and were told to leave hostels.
Anand PatwardhanPublic figuredocumentary filmmaker
Says in a headline quote that people must stand up and back the students. Our sources give no full text.
Ashish AvikunthakPublic figurefilmmaker
Weighed in on the row. Our sources give no details.
Keya GhoshPublic figureBJP leader
Says Shah's remarks show his political bias.
Santosh AjmeraOfficialSRFTI vice-chancellor
Is reported to have called for caution after the filmmakers spoke.
India TodayNews outletnews outlet
Asks why other well-known voices stayed silent on other causes.
Students say their protest rests on free speech and the right to form unions. The institute says it enforces campus discipline, not a ban on protest.
Students say outside groups entered the campus and attacked them. The institute says its vice-chancellor and staff faced assault and an unsafe workplace.
Supporters of the students say a fair and safe campus protects the independence of young filmmakers.
The institute and its backers say order is needed so classes can run safely. They say political heat could harm students.
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Supporters of the students say a fair and safe campus protects the independence of young filmmakers.
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The institute and its backers say order is needed so classes can run safely. They say political heat could harm students.
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Article 19(1)(a) protects the freedom of speech and expression. Article 19(2) lets the State set reasonable limits. Students link their protest to this right. The institute says it is enforcing campus discipline. Our sources show no court has applied it to this case.
12 of 14
Article 19(1)(b) protects the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Article 19(3) lets the State set reasonable limits. The institute says vandalism and violence cannot be excused as protest. Students deny any vandalism or assault. No court has ruled on this here.
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Article 19(1)(c) protects the right to form associations or unions. Article 19(4) lets the State set reasonable limits. Students demand student union elections. Our sources show no SFRTI rule on this and no court ruling.
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Established: SRFTI is a film school in Kolkata under a Union ministry. Students have protested since late September 2026 and demand that Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera resign. The institute says it rusticated six students and suspended classes. Students plan a wider protest from 2026-10-27. Claimed by one side: Students and Naseeruddin Shah say outside groups attacked the campus and the action is revenge for protest. Claimed by the other side: The institute says it acted on vandalism and assault, not protest. BJP leaders say Shah is biased. Sources conflict on how many students were rusticated and on why the first clash began. Not yet decided: No court has ruled. Our sources show no appeal on the rustications, no ministry statement and no reply to the resignation demand.
