Forming fact-finding panel by agitating students unauthorised, aimed at fomenting tension: SRFTI

Students of SRFTI during a solidarity gathering titled 'Rise in Rage' against an alleged attack on students by RSS-linked outfits. File

SRFTI authorities said an independent fact-finding exercise initiated by a group of protesting students into the campus crisis was "unauthorised", claiming that such an attempt was aimed at "distorting the factual record, fomenting tension and undermining the ongoing SIT probe".

The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said several incidents, including alleged attacks on students, since September 27 have been investigated by a special investigation team constituted by the West Bengal government, and questioned the legitimacy of a "parallel probe by an external organisation".

SRFTI Registrar Deepak Kumar said on Thursday (November 13, 2026) night that the institute had also constituted its own fact-finding committee to inquire into alleged violence on the campus.

"The matter is already under investigation by an SIT constituted by the West Bengal government. The institute has also constituted its own fact-finding committee to examine the incidents," Mr. Kumar said.

He alleged that the "parallel exercise is aimed at creating competing narratives, distorting the factual record and undermining the ongoing investigation".

Mr. Kumar alluded to a statement by agitating students to form a fact-finding panel on their part to probe the incidents, including alleged violence on the campus, since September 27.

"Such an attempt appears aimed at fomenting tension and keeping the issue alive rather than facilitating a return to normalcy," Mr. Kumar said, claiming that "using students to advance extraneous or political agendas" was unacceptable and detrimental to their academic interests.

"The institute will extend full cooperation to the SIT and expects all concerned to respect the established legal process," the SRFTI registrar said.

The institute has been witnessing protests since September 27 following alleged attacks on students during an RSS-linked Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat event on the campus.

The stir intensified after a second alleged attack on October 4 during a rally by Bangiya Hindu Jagran Manch, with students organising sit-ins and raising concerns over their safety, privacy and freedom of movement.

The agitating students had also claimed that stones were hurled at them during the incident.

The situation deteriorated following an October 15 incident involving Vice Chancellor Santosh Ajmera. The SRFTI administration accused a group of students of gheraoing and manhandling the VC and vandalising his office.

Six students were subsequently rusticated, while the students' union rejected the allegations and questioned the disciplinary proceedings.

The SRFTI registrar said the institute was making concerted efforts to restore normalcy, but academic activities remained suspended.

Mr. Kumar warned that any attempt to forcibly enter the campus or disrupt its functioning would invite appropriate action, including legal proceedings.

On October 16, the administration suspended regular academic activities in the film and electronic and digital media (EDM) wings till November 13.

The administration subsequently extended the suspension of academic activities and campus closure until December 11, citing the prevailing situation and the need to maintain institutional order.

The institute was granted deemed-to-be-university status under the distinct category in April 2025.