Attack on Republic Bangla Reporters at Jadavpur University
On March 13, 2025, tensions boiled over at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, and Republic Bangla's reporting team, sent to cover a campus protest, ended up at the center of a violent confrontation. The journalists—Hridita, Pinki, and Bhaskar—were doing their job, trying to document student demonstrations that have kept the campus on edge for weeks. Things got ugly when students and university staff took matters into their own hands and tried to silence the reporters—physically.
As the camera rolled and questions flew, what started out as heated debate quickly spun out of control. Pinki was dragged inside the registrar’s office. She wasn’t just pinned under pressure; she was forced to delete all the footage she’d shot just moments before—evidence, gone in seconds. Bhaskar found himself trapped as well, unable to leave while protests and threats swirled outside. Meanwhile, Hridita had to run for safety as a mob pursued her across the campus, her every step dogged by angry voices intent on shutting down coverage.
Clips taken by bystanders and the journalists themselves show the chaotic scenes—security guards either standing by or getting handsy, students shoving, arms grabbing at equipment, and voices raised above the hubbub, demanding reporters back away. Expensive cameras were nearly smashed, and any attempts to keep filming were met with more aggression.
University Under Scrutiny, Broader Political Storm
This wasn’t your everyday campus dispute. The fallout was immediate and intense. Fingers pointed squarely at the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, which has come under fire for what some see as unchecked hostility towards independent and critical media. Jadavpur University isn’t new to controversy—it’s long been known for its strong left-leaning student groups and frequent clashes with outsiders. But what happened on March 13 has many calling it a new low, with critics slamming what they see as a climate that encourages violence against journalists.
The term “intellectual hooliganism” has started floating around, as political leaders and activists argue over whether this is just a campus issue or something much bigger about Bengal’s political culture. Some groups claim that student activism is being used as a shield for outright bullying and censorship. Others say the media is under attack for simply trying to report what’s happening on the ground.
- Pinki’s forced deletion of her material stripped away a clear record of the day’s events.
- Bhaskar and Hridita experienced both physical intimidation and direct threats to their safety.
- The apparent collaboration of security staff with the student mob adds another layer, raising eyebrows over administrative complicity.
It’s not just an isolated crackdown. For journalists trying to cover sensitive stories in Kolkata, this incident drives home how dangerous the job can be. Reporters from Republic Bangla made it clear after the attack that they aren’t backing down, but they’re sounding the alarm. The hostile atmosphere—fueled by both political rhetoric and campus turmoil—makes it tough for anyone in the news business to work without fear.
The biggest worry here goes beyond personal safety—it strikes right at the heart of press freedom. When news crews are hounded off campus, forced to erase stories before the public can see them, and threatened just for doing their jobs, it’s not just an attack on individuals. It’s a challenge to the free exchange of information and ideas, not just at Jadavpur University but all across West Bengal.