SFI protesters clash with police, break barricades at Bikas Bhavan near Karunamoyee

On Monday afternoon, a large-scale protest led by the Student Federation of India (SFI) took place, with activists and supporters marching from Sourav Ganguly Cricket Academy to Bikash Bhavan, located in Salt Lake. The march aimed to raise multiple demands concerning the state’s education sector, primarily focusing on issues like high dropout rates, inadequate teacher recruitment processes, and poor infrastructure in schools, colleges, universities, and madrasas.

The protesters presented a range of demands during the demonstration, including the need for special financial provisions to reintegrate students who had dropped out. They also called for increased budget allocations for the development of educational infrastructure, including improvements to schools, colleges, and universities, as well as madrasa facilities. SFI activists further demanded a corruption-free process for teacher recruitment to ensure a balanced teacher-student ratio across educational institutions. Additionally, they sought the establishment of free internet zones on campuses to support digital learning.

Upon reaching Karunamoyee, the protesters encountered barricades set up by the police to prevent them from advancing towards Bikash Bhavan. The police had deployed a large contingent of officers, anticipating the demonstration. Despite these security measures, the protesters attempted to breach the barricades and continue their march. The situation escalated when the police used verbal warnings to stop the protesters, but when the crowd did not disperse, the authorities were forced to resort to baton charges in an attempt to control the situation.

Videos from the scene show several protesters lying down on the road, and others clashing with the police. While some protesters allegedly tried to push through the barricades, others were detained. The police made efforts to clear the roads, with several demonstrators being arrested for obstructing traffic. Reports suggested that some female protesters were allegedly subjected to physical force by male police officers, though the exact details remain unclear.

The police action led to a considerable disruption in the area, with Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed to manage the crowd. The protest ended before reaching Bikash Bhavan, with authorities clearing the roads to restore order. The situation calmed after the protesters were removed from the area, but tensions remained high.

SFI's protest also included demands for gender equality and safety measures in educational institutions. These included the creation of anti-sexual harassment committees (POCSO committees) in schools and madrasas, as well as stronger measures to prevent gender-based violence on campuses. The organization also called for the immediate reinstatement of student union elections in colleges and universities, citing the importance of democratic engagement on campuses. The protest represents a continuation of SFI's ongoing efforts to address what they view as systemic issues in the state's education sector.