Less than a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari criticised what he called “anti-national” slogans and writings, Jadavpur University’s general maintenance wing on Saturday removed and whitewashed several graffiti and wall paintings across the campus. The clean-up operation covered multiple locations, including Gate No. 3, the PG Science building, Nazrul Bhavan, Prayukti Bhavan, the Central Library, the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering departments and Aurobindo Bhavan, before concluding at the Open Air Theatre.
Among the artworks removed was a mural of American poet and civil rights activist Audre Lorde, accompanied by her quote, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” A mural depicting a child dressed in the colours of the Palestinian flag was also erased. The artwork featured imagery associated with resistance and freedom, including birds, broken fences and a fragmented face incorporating the black-and-white pattern of the keffiyeh.
A portrait of Sharjeel Imam, accompanied by the words “Prophet Mohammad”, was among the other writings removed. Workers also whitewashed a Charlie Chaplin mural near the Dr H L Roy Building, which carried the message, “Fascism is not to be debated. It is to be smashed.” At the PG Science department, graffiti featuring a Nazi-style salute and the words “Break Fascism with Red” was removed.
Other writings erased included “Fascists do not deserve democracy. They deserve a bullet in the head”, and “Long Live Comrade Kishenji.” Graffiti reading “Chakka Jam is the solution, Not Sedition” was also removed.
The clean-up came a day after CM Suvendu Adhikari addressed a gathering near the university and questioned the presence of slogans including “Kashmir mange azaadi” and “Red salute Kishenji” on the campus. “Are you chanting 'Kashmir wants freedom'? Are you posting 'Free Palestine'? Before speaking about Palestine, write 'Free PoK'. When terrorists killed Hindus in Pahalgam and the Army eliminated them in Operation Sindoor, you said nothing,” Adhikari said.
Taking aim at the slogan in support of slain Maoist leader Kishenji, Suvendu Adhikari said, “Who is Kishenji ? He is the one who burnt the Constitution of India. He used to give calls to boycott elections. You will give 'red salute' to this Kishenji, and we will allow you to do this while running the government?” The Chief Minister had earlier declared that he would “establish nationalism” at Jadavpur University and warned that slogans he considered anti-national would not be tolerated.
