Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh threatens ‘surgical strikes’ at Jadavpur University amid ABVP-SFI face-off
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh has threatened further 'surgical strikes' at Jadavpur University following clashes between ABVP and SFI student groups. The university authorities are facing criticism for their slow response to the violence on campus.
Why it matters
The rhetoric reflects escalating political polarization and campus unrest in West Bengal, raising concerns about academic freedom and law enforcement.
West Bengal Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh on Friday (August 21, 2026) threatened to carry out more ‘surgical strikes’ at Jadavpur University if anti-national slogans are raised.
“The Trinamool had allowed them to perpetuate. Our people had carried out surgical strikes there. The SFI office was demolished. If anti-national movements are seen there again or slogans are raised, there will be surgical strikes again,” said Mr. Ghosh, Minister-in-Charge of Panchayat and Rural Development.
The remarks came a day after supporters of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Left-backed students unions, including the Students Federation of India (SFI), held multiple rallies and got into a face-off at the Jadavour University campus.
Clashes were reported inside the university premises on Wednesday evening (August 19, 2026) when ABVP supporters allegedly forced themselves inside the campus premises.
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