The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata has come under scrutiny after hateful graffiti targeting a religious community was discovered on its campus, prompting a firm response from the institute’s authorities. The graffiti surfaced near the ISI men’s hostel on November 11, just a day after a deadly car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that claimed at least ten lives. The incident has sparked widespread concern among students, researchers, and civil society groups, highlighting the need for vigilance against communal and divisive messaging even within academic spaces.

Discovery of Graffiti

The offensive writings were discovered near the men’s hostel, appearing on walls already bearing a note that read, “Dogs shouldn’t enter the premises,” with additional derogatory words prefixed to name a particular community. A separate message explicitly targeting the community was also found nearby. The timing of the graffiti, coming shortly after the Red Fort blast, created heightened unease among students and staff, leading to calls for immediate remedial measures.

Randip Kumar, a researcher at ISI, described the shock among hostel residents and the campus community. “When boarders went out early in the morning around 6–6:30 am, only the previous ‘Dogs not allowed’ graffiti remained. By 7:30 am, the fresh writings were discovered. We are shocked that such writings can be spotted in an institution like ISI. Immediate action against the perpetrators is essential,” he said. Researchers have also requested access to CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the individuals responsible.

ISI’s Response

The institute’s director, Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, condemned the act, stressing that the graffiti did not reflect ISI’s ethos or values. “Even if some misguided elements committed the act, they don’t represent the ISI family. This was an aberration, and I hope it won’t recur,” she said. The director emphasized that ISI has always upheld pluralistic traditions and promoted academic excellence free from gender, religious, or linguistic discrimination.

Bandyopadhyay confirmed that photos of the graffiti had been taken and that the offensive messages would be removed promptly. She also stated that the institute was working to identify those responsible and would implement remedial measures, including counselling, after the semester exams concluded.

Internal Notice and Preventive Measures

A senior official from ISI said that an internal notice had already been circulated to the campus community denouncing any divisive campaign, posters, graffiti, or utterances capable of spreading hatred. The notice also warned of strict disciplinary action against any violation of the guidelines. The official underscored that ISI, as a pre-eminent educational institution under the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, had never previously experienced religious bigotry within its campus.

Civil Society and Student Reaction

The graffiti has drawn strong reactions from students, researchers, and civil society organizations. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), demanded strict action against those responsible. Subhajit Sarkar, SFI state committee member, called the act “against the spirit and ethos of India” and emphasized that such messages of communal hatred should not be tolerated in a progressive campus like ISI.

The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) also expressed concern over the incident, noting that no demonstrative action had yet been taken to identify the perpetrators. APDR General Secretary Ranjit Sur suggested that if a student or researcher was involved, counselling should be provided, while any teaching or non-teaching staff implicated should face strict punishment. A written complaint has already been filed with the ISI administration.

Contextual Background

The graffiti incident comes in the backdrop of heightened security concerns following the Red Fort car blast, where explosives were discovered in north India just hours before the explosion. Several members of a specific community were arrested in connection with the seizure of a large quantity of explosives on November 10. While there is no direct link established between the ISI graffiti and the blast, the timing has raised sensitivities around communal tension and campus safety.

Commitment to Pluralism and Academic Values

Director Bandyopadhyay reiterated that ISI remains committed to its values of pluralism and academic integrity. She emphasized that the institute will take necessary action to prevent recurrence, ensure accountability, and promote an inclusive and safe campus environment. Students and researchers are expected to cooperate with authorities in identifying the culprits, while the institute continues to monitor the campus through available CCTV footage and internal oversight.

The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges academic institutions face in maintaining inclusive spaces and preventing divisive messaging, especially during periods of heightened national security concerns. The ISI administration has assured the campus community that the graffiti does not reflect its principles and that decisive action will be taken to uphold the institute’s legacy of tolerance, scholarship, and social responsibility.