Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat slams violent disruption of its programme on consumer awareness at SRFTI in Kolkata

KOLKATA: The Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), Paschim Banga Prant, in its press conference on September 29 at Kolkata Press Club, strongly condemned the violent disruption of its scheduled organisational programme on September 27, 2026 at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata.

The programme was lawfully organised as a consumer-awareness and organisational meeting of approximately 250 members. The ABGP, in its capacity as a consumer, had booked the auditorium hall against payment of the requisite charges and had made full payment in advance towards the venue and lunch arrangements.

According to ABGP, shortly after the programme commenced at approximately 1:30 p.m., a large group of individuals entered the programme hall and allegedly disrupted the proceedings in a violent and intimidating manner.

ABGP alleges that individuals carrying banners identifying themselves as the “SRFTI Student Union” and bearing the slogan “RESIST HINDUTVA FASCISM” forcibly entered the venue and raised provocative and anti-religious slogans. During the incident, portraits of Bharat Mata and Swami Vivekananda were allegedly vandalised and spat upon, memento idols of Maa Durga were allegedly thrown away, and the official ABGP banner was allegedly desecrated and damaged.

The situation, according to ABGP, subsequently escalated into a serious incident involving alleged wrongful confinement and physical intimidation. The main entry and exit doors were allegedly locked from outside, while a large gathering assembled near the emergency exit. Several ABGP members, including women and senior citizens, were allegedly subjected to physical assault, harassment and intimidation.

ABGP further states that members who had taken shelter in the parking area, including persons inside a bus and private vehicles, remained confined from approximately 2:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. During this period, they allegedly faced threats to their lives and were denied access to basic facilities, including drinking water and toilet facilities. Several members reportedly sustained injuries and required medical treatment.

The organisation further alleged that a large number of persons carrying metal rods and sharp-edged sticks were present around the vehicles in which ABGP members were confined and allegedly threatened those inside. ABGP also states that a police vehicle was damaged during the incident, including the breaking of its window glass, while two or three police personnel were attempting to assist an injured ABGP member.

Upon realising the hostile conditions faced by more than 250 ABGP members, including children, women, senior citizens and injured persons who were allegedly confined inside the premises, and the inadequacy of the police personnel available to rescue them, the Prant Sangathan Mantri, Adv. Anjan Sinha, contacted the former Vice-President of the organisation, Adv. Bhaskar Bhattacharya, who is presently the Minister of State (PWD & Labour) in the Government of West Bengal, for immediate assistance. With the active cooperation and prompt assistance of the Hon’ble Minister, a greater police response was subsequently visible.

ABGP, Paschim Banga Prant, considers the incident to be a grave assault on the fundamental principles of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, public safety and the rule of law.

Differences of opinion or ideology, ABGP maintains, cannot justify violence, intimidation, unlawful confinement, vandalism or physical assault.

A police complaint has already been lodged at Panchasayar Police Station by an authorised member of ABGP (West Bengal Prant), seeking appropriate criminal action against the persons responsible. The organisation states that it has preserved substantial video footage, photographs and other evidence relating to the incident, which may assist the investigating authorities in identifying the persons involved.

ABGP has called upon the competent authorities to conduct a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation and to take appropriate action in accordance with law against every person found responsible, irrespective of his or her identity or affiliation.

The organisation also appeals to all concerned to maintain peace and ensure that public and institutional spaces remain accessible for lawful programmes, dialogue and democratic expression without fear of violence or intimidation.

ABGP Seeks Immediate Action Regarding:

Alleged criminal trespass and unlawful assembly;

Alleged physical assault and harassment of women members;

Alleged wrongful confinement and threats to life;

Damage to property and vandalism;

Violent disruption of a lawful and peaceful organisational programme; and

Identification and prosecution of all persons found responsible in accordance with law.

Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) reiterates that it shall continue its activities relating to consumer awareness, consumer rights and public welfare through lawful and peaceful means.