Students at Kolkata's SRFTI Report Violent Confrontation Over Meeting

Students at Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) reported being attacked with knives after confronting a group they allege was affiliated with the right-wing Hindu organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The incident occurred on Sunday, September 27, when students objected to a meeting held on campus by the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), claiming they were not informed about the event. Poorvi Bondre, a student representative, stated that the meeting was aimed at promoting the RSS agenda rather than being a film screening. Bondre reported that when students questioned the group, the confrontation escalated into violence, with members allegedly attacking them with knives. Videos circulating on social media showed students with apparent knife wounds, but their authenticity could not be independently verified. The campus atmosphere remains tense, with students and ABGP members present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the same day, emphasized India's zero tolerance policy against terrorism during his radio program, linking it to past military actions against Pakistan. In other news, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India's commitment to national security, stating that dialogue would cease if terrorism continued. Additionally, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand amid efforts to mend relations following a diplomatic dispute. In Uttar Pradesh, heavy rains resulted in at least 56 fatalities, with over 1,000 homes damaged. In Nagaland, 19 deaths were reported due to suspected spurious liquor consumption, prompting police investigations. Protests erupted at Lovely Professional University in Punjab over unverified claims of a student's alleged rape and suicide, while the Election Commission of India faced scrutiny over its electoral roll revision process. Congress workers protested for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing concerns over the removal of eligible voters.