West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari used his ‘Gerua Samman Yatra’ from Golpark to Jadavpur on Wednesday to launch a sharp political and ideological offensive, warning against what he described as ‘insults to saffron’ and slogans associated with separatism, the Left and “anti-national” politics.
The march, which began at Golpark and culminated around Jadavpur 8B, was billed by organisers as a campaign to uphold the dignity of the saffron colour and promote nationalist thought. The event came amid heightened political activity and a continuing ideological contest at and around Jadavpur University.
Addressing supporters during the march, Adhikari framed saffron as a symbol that, in his view, carried particular cultural and religious significance in Bengal.
“I want to send out a warning…in the era of religious awakening in Bengal, one must be very careful of the words they choose to use alongside ‘Gerua’ (saffron). Think at least 5 times. We will not tolerate insult to ‘Saffron’. My message should be very clear,” CM Adhikari emphasised.
His remarks appeared to refer to recent controversies over the use of language associated with saffron, including political slogans and descriptions that his supporters have argued denigrate the colour and what it represents. The march itself was announced as an effort to highlight saffron as a symbol of “sacrifice, dedication and traditional tradition”.
‘Kashmir Azadi’, ‘Free Palestine’ slogans targeted
Adhikari then widened his attack to slogans associated with the Left and pro-Palestinian or separatist politics, explicitly naming slogans that he said ‘would not be tolerated.’
The Bengal CM warned, “Slogans like ‘Kashmir mange Azadi, ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Kishanji Red Salute’ will also not be tolerated,’ further publicly asserting remarks like: ‘How to wash these slogans away the Chief Minister of Bengal knows."
The Chief Minister's warning comes against the backdrop of an ongoing ideological contest at Jadavpur University, where Left-linked student groups and the RSS-affiliated ABVP have been involved in competing political messaging and a graffiti battle. The BJP has sought to make “nationalism” a central theme in its campaign around the university.
Adhikari also announced that he would return to Jadavpur for religious programmes, presenting them as a response to what he described as anti-national political language.
“In a few days, I will come back here. On the invite of Bengal Sanatan Sanskriti Parishad, I will come back here to chant Gita- this is to teach a lesson to those who live in this country and speak anti-national language. The second time, I will come to chant the Hanuman Chalisa. Will you help to clean these people? Are you ready?” The BJP MLA from Bhabanipore constituency pressed adding that “those who wrote Gerua Gundami (Saffron Hooliganism) will be uprooted.”
The Chief Minister then delivered one of his strongest political messages of the rally, directly invoking slogans and graffiti that have featured in the Jadavpur controversy.
“I am standing on the soil of Jadavpur and promising that those who wrote ‘Kashmir mange Azadi’, ’Kishanji red Salute’ and ‘Gerua Gundami’ will be uprooted from their foundation,” Adhikari touted.
Adhikari also linked his current political battle with his earlier opposition to the Left Front. “I had sworn in 2011 to eliminate the Communist (party). And in 2026, I had sworn to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that I will remove the ‘Jamati’ government (referring to Trinamool Congress govt led by Mamata Banerjee). That has happened,” he said.
‘Historic Bill’ promised in Higher Education
Moving from political rhetoric to government policy, Adhikari announced that a major legislative measure was expected to be passed by the Higher Education Department.
“Tomorrow a historic Bill will be passed by the Higher Education Department. The cabinet has already given its due permission. The Governor also signed on the same,” he mentioned refusing to provide details of the Bill in the remarks cited here.
‘This land will remain saffron’
Adhikari closed with an appeal to his supporters to maintain their political backing, tying the saffron identity he invoked throughout the rally to Bengal's religious and cultural heritage. “If you people continue to stand by me then this land, the land of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Chaitanya, will remain Saffron,” The first BJP CM stated.
