Political Tensions Escalate in Kolkata Amid University Incident and Party Disputes
Kolkata, the vibrant capital of West Bengal, is witnessing heightened political activity as recent events have intensified rivalries among major political parties. The incident at Jadavpur University and internal party dynamics are at the forefront of the current political discourse.
On March 4, 2025, tensions escalated at Jadavpur University following an incident that has become a focal point for political contention. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Left Front have engaged in a war of words over the event and the subsequent attack on Education Minister Bratya Basu. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), affiliated with the BJP, has called for decisive action on campus, while the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has organized statewide protests. Minister Basu expressed regret over the incident and announced an internal probe.
Additionally, TMC Minister Babul Supriyo reported being heckled on campus, further intensifying the situation.
The BJP is gearing up for a significant political push in West Bengal. State President Sukanta Majumdar has confidently declared that the BJP will assume power in the state following the 2026 assembly elections, succeeding the TMC. During a recent core committee meeting, the party selected 25 out of 43 district presidents, despite ongoing internal conflicts. Preparations are underway for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s upcoming visit, which is expected to strategize for the 2026 assembly polls.
In a related development, West Bengal Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim accused the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) of acting as the BJP’s “B team” to divide votes in the state. This allegation has been rejected by the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party. The TMC’s concerns stem from the potential impact of AIMIM’s participation in the elections, which could alter the state’s political landscape.
The city has also been grappling with security issues following the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024. The incident led to nationwide protests about women’s safety. In January 2025, a Kolkata court sentenced Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, to life imprisonment for the crime. Despite demands for the death penalty and classification by federal police as a “rarest-of-rare” crime, Judge Anirban Das concluded that life imprisonment was appropriate.The trial saw extensive security measures and involvement from the community and the victim’s parents, who were dissatisfied with the investigation and plan to appeal, suspecting other individuals were involved.
These developments underscore the dynamic and often contentious nature of Kolkata’s political scene, reflecting broader challenges and shifts within West Bengal’s political landscape.
