A wall graffiti in support of the late CPI (Maoist) general secretary, Basava Raju, has sparked controversy at Jadavpur University. On a campus wall, “Long Live Basava Raju” was written. It is reported that the student organisation RSF (Revolutionary Students Front) is responsible for the graffiti.
The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) plans to approach the university vice-chancellor on Monday seeking a ban on the group. As CPI (Maoist) is a banned political organisation in India, such wall graffiti supporting it is being highlighted as an “anti-national” activity by TMCP.
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Basava Raju was the general secretary of India’s Communist Party (Maoist). His real name was Nambala Keshav Rao. He was killed in a clash with security forces in Chhattisgarh on May 21, 2025, in which at least 27 Maoists were also killed. This graffiti at Jadavpur was reportedly written to wish him a long life.
Speaking on behalf of TMCP, Tirthraj Bardhan said, “We are approaching the vice-chancellor regarding the RSF, a Naxalite-affiliated student organisation. This group, which indulges in anti-national and violent politics, must be removed from Jadavpur. The authorities must erase this wall graffiti.”
Earlier, there was also controversy over a wall graffiti reading “Azad Kashmir” on campus. No student group claimed responsibility at that time, and after much debate, the graffiti was eventually removed.
RSF’s statement
On behalf of the student organisation, Abhinab Das said, “We believe no ideology can be banned. In 2023, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari approached the Kolkata High Court seeking a ban on us, but the court did not take action.”
Abhinab maintains that given the current national situation, the path of CPI (Maoists) is the most acceptable. While some may disagree with their armed revolutionary line, he said, “Parliamentary parties throughout the year, especially during elections, use bombs, guns, and other means to take the lives of ordinary people. Isn’t that an armed line?” He also clarified that RSF has no direct connection with Maoists and operates independently as a student organisation.
