Row at JU after students outfit symbolically renames Kolkata, campus venues

kolkata: a three-day state conference of the ultra-left students' outfit revolutionary students' front (rsf) at jadavpur university triggered controversy after the group symbolically renamed the venue and city locations after maoist leaders killed by security forces.the conference, held at the vivekananda auditorium from november 24, saw the auditorium dubbed as “basavaraju auditorium,” jadavpur as “hidma nagar,” and kolkata as “koteswar rao nagar.” the names commemorated cpi (maoist) leaders madvi hidma, nambala keshav rao alias basavaraju, and koteswar rao alias kishenji, all of whom were killed in encounters with security forces in andhra pradesh, chhattisgarh, and west bengal.rsf general secretary tathagata roy chowdhury defended the move, saying it was symbolic and did not imply any anti-national activity. he added that the gesture honoured those who “worked and stayed with poor people, sacrificing material comforts, bright careers, and secure jobs.” he stressed the conference also discussed indigenous rights over forests, land, and water, and opposed corporate displacement of farmers and tribals.the event included participation from radical groups such as sangrami shramik manch, sangrami krishak manch, and the committee for the release of political prisoners, and began with a moment of silence for the three leaders.the incident has caused uproar on the campus, which is known for academic excellence and active left-wing student participation. university officials said permission for the conference was granted as per norms, while police confirmed that inputs were being monitored but no intervention was required.