The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata, a premier research and educational institution, has been embroiled in controversy after hateful and communally charged graffiti surfaced on its campus, appearing just a day after the devastating car blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. The institute’s administration has responded by constituting a ten-member fact-finding panel to investigate the incident and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.

The Appearance of Communal Graffiti

The graffiti, written with chalk, was spotted on Tuesday, November 11, a day after the high-intensity blast near the Red Fort Metro Station that killed at least 10 people and was linked to a terror module. The writings, which were widely described as “Islamophobic,” targeted a specific religious community and were found in several prominent areas of the C.V. Raman Hall, the men’s hostel for graduate and postgraduate students.

Locations where the hate messages were found include:

• A men’s hostel door (where an existing sign saying “Dog shouldn’t enter the premises” was modified to read “Muslims and dog shouldn’t enter the premises”).
• A staircase railing (with the words, “No Dogs and Muslims”).
• A dustbin on one of the floors (bearing the words, “the only place for Muslims”).
• The washing machine room door.

The appearance of these messages in a prestigious institution known for its inclusive, liberal, and scientific ethos sparked immediate outrage among students, research scholars, and faculty.

Institute’s Strong Condemnation and Action

Following a complaint filed by a section of students on Tuesday, the ISI administration took swift steps to address the breach of conduct and safety:

• Official Condemnation: The institute issued a formal statement on November 13, unequivocally condemning the act. The statement emphasized that the language used “promotes hatred, discrimination or disharmony among individuals based on their religion, caste or community” and constitutes a “direct violation of our core values and the established code of conduct.” The administration promised to take “strict action in accordance with the law of the land against the perpetrators”.
• Fact-Finding Panel: A senior official confirmed the formation of a ten-member fact-finding panel comprising students and faculty members. The panel’s mandate is to assess the situation, ascertain who was behind the incident, and suggest measures to ensure such divisive acts are avoided in the future.
• Security and Student Outreach: The administration immediately arranged meetings with students and faculty, particularly those from the minority community, to assure them of their safety and comfort on campus. Security has also been tightened, and officials are looking into available CCTV footage near the hostel gate to identify the perpetrator, though certain corners where the graffiti was scrawled are reportedly not under camera cover. The offensive writings were also erased by the administration.

Counter-Posters and Campus Response

On Friday, a day after the institute’s official statement, students and research scholars launched a counter-campaign by putting up a fresh set of posters across the campus, particularly in the same spots where the hateful graffiti had appeared.

These posters conveyed a powerful message of inclusivity and condemnation:

• “No religious bigots allowed inside.”
• “Please throw your religious hatred here” (scribbled on the dustbin).
• “The membership of the institute shall not be restricted for reasons of sex, nationality, race, religion, caste or creed.”

Students emphasized that the collective effort was aimed at sending a clear message that hatred and discrimination would not be tolerated in an institution that is built on principles of mutual respect and diversity.

The incident highlights a growing concern among faculty and alumni that the divisive narratives circulating in the broader society are beginning to infiltrate and poison the academic environment of prestigious institutions like ISI.