Calcutta University Students Attacked: A shocking case of linguistic discrimination has rattled Kolkata after four students of Calcutta University’s Carmichael Hostel were violently attacked near Sealdah Bridge. According to reports, a group of hawkers targeted them after overhearing their conversation in Bengali, hurling slurs and accusing them of being “Bangladeshis.”
The verbal abuse quickly escalated into physical violence, with the attackers allegedly armed with hockey sticks, iron rods, and knives. The four students sustained injuries, one of them seriously, and were rushed to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Police have arrested two accused in connection with the assault, but the incident has sparked widespread anger, with student groups and civil rights organizations calling it a direct assault on cultural identity and linguistic freedom.
Witnesses claim the altercation began when one of the students bargained for an item at a roadside stall. The hawker allegedly mocked the students for speaking Bengali, insisting they converse in Hindi, before calling them “Bangladeshis.” When the students returned later to protest the insult, the situation turned violent as several hawkers joined in, assaulting them brutally. During the attack, one student had his mobile phone snatched and clothes torn. The students filed a written complaint at Muchipara Police Station, leading to the registration of an FIR.
The arrests have not eased tensions, however, as student unions across Kolkata are demanding accountability and stronger protections for linguistic and cultural rights. (UNESCO: Cultural Diversity)
The attack has been condemned by academics, politicians, and activists who view it as part of a larger pattern of hostility against Bengali speakers in India. Earlier this year, the Calcutta High Court questioned the Union Government over raids targeting Bengali-speaking communities, highlighting the growing sensitivity around language and identity. West Bengal’s Chief Minister has also accused certain political groups of promoting “linguistic terror.”
Experts warn that normalizing such prejudice undermines India’s multilingual ethos and constitutional guarantees of cultural and linguistic freedom. The assault on Calcutta University students is now being seen as a dangerous flashpoint in the broader debate over language rights in the country. (Constitution of India: Official Languages)
Fear and Identity Crisis Among Students
For the victims and their peers, the attack was more than a physical assault—it was a humiliating reminder of how language can become a marker of exclusion. Student groups at Calcutta University have condemned the violence, calling it a violation of their basic rights to speak and live freely in their own state. Many have expressed fear about venturing into markets near their hostels, worried that similar harassment may occur. The university administration is now under pressure to ensure safety protocols, while activists argue that linguistic prejudice must be treated as seriously as caste or religious discrimination. (Amnesty International on hate-based violence)
Civil society voices are urging authorities to strengthen legal protections and raise awareness against language-based discrimination. The attack has revived discussions about tolerance in India’s pluralistic society, where multiple languages co-exist. Police have promised thorough investigation and further arrests if required, but student unions insist that preventive measures—like patrolling vulnerable areas and holding awareness campaigns—are necessary. They stress that attacks like this do not just hurt individuals; they fracture the social fabric and question the values of unity in diversity that India stands for. (Human Rights Watch: Hate Crimes)
Calcutta University Students Attacked: Language as Identity Under Threat
The assault at Sealdah is a reminder of the fragile balance between cultural coexistence and xenophobic intolerance. Bengali, one of India’s 22 scheduled languages, holds official recognition and is integral to the state’s history and identity. Targeting people for speaking it is not only unlawful but also an assault on the constitutional vision of linguistic equality. Experts argue that such incidents must be met with strong deterrent action to safeguard linguistic freedoms. Beyond immediate arrests, there is a pressing need for social awareness, institutional intervention, and civic cooperation to ensure that Kolkata—long celebrated as a hub of culture and intellect—remains a safe space for its people to live and speak without fear. (Anti-Bengali sentiment – Wikipedia)
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